I made my foray at exploring the new search engine Alice and the online library Xenotheke by entering the name of my chosen literature, Specimens of Gothic Architecture. Almost instantaneously, a plethora of search results popped up, and the first that captured my attention was a book titled Late Gothic Architecture-Its evolution, Extinction, and Reception, written by Robert bork.
This book examines one of the most consequential transitions in the history of European architecture, which took place in the succeeding decades after 1500, namely the abandonment of classical concepts and norms that are characterized by ancient greek and roman architecture. Instead, an alternative architectural language dominated the European continent for nearly a century-the Gothic. In general, the book is a thorough documentation of the rise and fall of Gothic architecture. Furthermore, the book also critically compares gothic architecture to the more established narratives of the medieval to renaissance transition. Since this book is written in temporary times, its content juxtaposed text and photos to bring the remaining Gothic specimens to their actual glory on paper. In comparison to the Specimens of Gothic Architecture, which was written in the 19th century, the delineation and depiction of the buildings were recoursed to drawings.
Additionally, in stark contrast to A. PUGIN’s(the author of the Specimens of Gothic Architecture)visceral aversion to the now so-called late gothic architecture/or according to his words, the “modern gothic architecture,” this book purveys a tranquil, objective, and critical analysis, with the help of the historical, and socio-economical changes in Europe, on the ultimate wane of the gothic architecture. Moreover, A. PUGIN mainly focused on the building that was in Great Britain, whereas Rober Bork’s research transcended geographical boundaries, thanks to modern technology(for instance, Google maps and aero photos), which granted him the possibility to examine buildings from all over the places.
Student Number(21-937-982)