What was Gothic art really about—and why did it dominate Europe for nearly 300 years?
In this episode of AP Art History in 15, Mr. Bruns breaks down the Gothic period (c. 1150–1400 CE) into a fast-paced, exam-ready journey through towering cathedrals, glowing stained glass, bustling medieval cities, and big intellectual ideas.
You’ll explore:
Where and why Gothic architecture began (Saint-Denis & Abbot Suger)
Why northern France became the hub of Gothic innovation
How light, height, and structure symbolized heaven on earth
The role of cities, guilds, and urban wealth in cathedral building
How universities and Scholasticism shaped Gothic thinking
Why the Middle Ages are known as the “Age of Cathedrals”
What Renaissance thinkers really meant when they called it “Gothic”
Perfect for AP Art History students, last-minute review, or anyone curious about how faith, reason, and engineering came together to reshape Europe’s skyline.
🎧 Listen. Learn. Look up.
