Flying Buttresses and the Artistic Expression of Vertical Ambition in Gothic Church Architecture

Flying buttresses revolutionized Gothic church architecture by enabling unprecedented verticality and luminosity, transforming the structural and aesthetic possibilities of cathedrals. These external supports allowed for thinner walls and larger windows, key features of Gothic design seen in landmarks like Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres Cathedral, and Reims Cathedral. Beyond their engineering innovation, flying buttresses carried profound symbolic meaning, reflecting the theological ambitions of the 12th century. The study examines how these elements integrated engineering prowess with artistic expression, leaving a lasting influence on subsequent architectural styles.

Lavinia, D. T. (2024). Flying Buttresses and the Artistic Expression of Vertical Ambition in Gothic Church Architecture. Art and Society, 3(4), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.56397/as.2024.08.01