Contextualization

The Gothic period, which spanned from the 12th to the 16th centuries, is a rich phase in the history of art that represents the peak of medieval Christian art. The name 'Gothic' was originally a pejorative term created during the Renaissance to indicate what humanists saw as the 'barbarism' of medieval culture and art, contrasting with the 'civilization' of classical antiquity. However, despite this initial prejudice, Gothic art is now recognized as a crucial development in the evolution of Western art, with its own aesthetic conventions and technical innovations.

Gothic art is characterized by a series of distinct features: attention to detail, realism, and an emphasis on verticality and light. However, the main contribution of the Gothic period was the introduction of ribbed vault architecture, which allowed for the construction of tall structures and the inclusion of large stained glass windows, flooding interiors with light and color. This new focus on light and height was a tangible expression of medieval theological ideals, which valued the aspiration towards divinity and spiritual enlightenment.

In the classroom context, Gothic art is a theme that allows for multidisciplinary approaches. Besides its obvious appeal to art students, Gothic art has profound implications for the study of history (e.g., as a reflection of the social, cultural, political, and economic values of the time), religion (as a means of expressing Christian faith), and even physics (e.g., in understanding construction techniques).

Introduction

In this project, you will be invited to delve into the fascinating world of Gothic art: its emergence, characteristics, technical innovations, and social, cultural, and religious implications. You will not only study Gothic art but also recreate it in a challenging practical activity that will require creativity, research, teamwork, and a good deal of patience.

The aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Gothic art, as well as to promote technical skills related to the study of art history, such as visual analysis, iconographic interpretation, and historical research. Additionally, through the challenge of recreating a Gothic artwork, you will also be encouraged to develop essential socio-emotional skills, such as time management, communication, problem-solving, and proactivity.

Here are some reliable sources in Portuguese that you can use to delve deeper into the topic:

• Medeiros, J. (2006). 'Arte Gótica'. In: História da arte. São Paulo: Contexto.
• Gombrich, E. (2008). 'O Olhar Móvel'. In: A história da arte. Rio de Janeiro: LTC.
• Video: 'A Arte Gótica', available here on YouTube.
• Website 'História da Arte', section on Gothic Art, available here.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'Recreating a Gothic Stained Glass Window'

Project Objective

Recreate a stained glass window from a Gothic cathedral, based on your acquired knowledge of Gothic art, its characteristics, and icons.

Detailed Project Description

Each group of 3 to 5 students will choose a specific Gothic stained glass window to recreate, whether existing or invented by them, based on the characteristics of Gothic art. They will then draw the project on paper and, finally, build a model of the stained glass window using recycled materials and paint to represent the stained glass.

This project will involve a detailed study of Gothic art, including its history, characteristics, technical innovations, and religious iconography. It will also require practical skills such as drawing, painting, and model construction, as well as time management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

The project should take approximately 12 hours to be completed per participating student, including research time, project drawing, model construction, and writing the final report.

Required Materials

• Books and online resources on Gothic art
• Paper and pencils for drawing
• Recycled materials (e.g., cardboard, plastic bottles, etc.)
• Acrylic paint in various colors
• Brushes
• Glue

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Research: Begin by conducting a detailed research on Gothic art, focusing not only on its history and characteristics but especially on Gothic stained glass windows.

2. Selection of Stained Glass Window: Each group should choose a Gothic stained glass window to recreate. It can be an existing window or one conceived by the students, as long as it is based on the characteristics of Gothic art.

3. Project Drawing: Next, the students should draw the stained glass window project on paper, including all its parts, details, and the color palette they will use.

4. Model Construction: After drawing the project, the students should build a model of the stained glass window using recycled materials and acrylic paint. They should use their creativity to represent the complexity and richness of Gothic stained glass windows.

5. Final Report: Finally, the students should write a detailed report on the project, explaining the research they conducted, the choice of stained glass window, the project drawing, the model construction, and the difficulties encountered.

The final report should contain at least four sections:

• Introduction: The student should contextualize the theme of Gothic art, its importance, and the choice of stained glass window.
• Development: The student should detail the research conducted, the project drawing, and the model construction.
• Conclusions: The student should conclude the work by summarizing its main points and explaining the learnings obtained and conclusions drawn about the project.
• Bibliography: The student should indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project, including books, websites, and videos.

Remember, this report is not just a description of what was done but a reflection on the entire process and the group's learnings.