: Unlike rounded arches, these distributed weight more vertically, allowing for much taller ceilings.
Architecture was the dominant art form of the period, driven by the desire to build taller structures that could be filled with divine light. This was made possible by several key innovations:
Gothic art, which emerged in 12th-century France and flourished across Europe until the 16th century, represents a transformative shift from the heavy, fortress-like Romanesque style to an aesthetic of verticality, light, and naturalism. Originally used as a derogatory term during the Renaissance to describe "barbaric" work, the Gothic style is now celebrated for its engineering brilliance and emotional depth. Gothic Architecture: Height and Light
: A skeletal framework of stone ribs supported thin stone panels, significantly reducing the weight of the roof.