This past week, we've focused heavily on the emergence of Paris as one of the most important cities in Europe during the 1100s and the 1200s. Among other things, we've looked at one defining feature of this political and cultural transformation: the Gothic tradition in French culture. Avery and Jackson presented an in-depth overview of Gothic Art. Jennifer, Reed, and Nahlah investigated a figure behind the transformations of this era, Abbot Suger. Caroline, Izzy, and Pryor explored Abbot Suger's residence St. Denis. And Connor, Lehn, and Jonathan focused on the political dynasty that made this phenomenon possible.
So we've worked hard to grasp this critical historical era from an academic perspective, but it's also important for us as historians to note our own personal responses to the buildings and artifacts of this era. In a thorough and thoughtful response of no fewer than 10 sentences, make an argument either a) celebrating, or b) critiquing the Gothic. In your response, please make sure to reference two of the first three images (all Gothic and all from Paris) and some of your notes from presentations. You will also find two examples (the last two images) of the previously dominant Romanesque style should you want to use them as some form of comparison in your argument.
