3 1 Discussion A Visual Journey
Notre Dame de Paris and St. Peters Basilica are the two mediums I chose to focus on for
this discussion. I found that both of these works of architecture are an icon for their time periods.
Notre Dame is an icon for the Classical period and St. Peter's Basilica is an icon for the
Renaissance period.
Notre Dame de Paris is a Gothic cathedral that is located in Paris. This cathedral's style is
12th -- 13th century. Notre Dame de Paris was one of the first to have gargoyles and chimeras.
They were used to keep rain water away from the building. Notre Dame has arched support, on
the outside. The arches are help to support the thin walls. Notre Dame has many different
perspectives, the cathedral is long, and the towers are actually located behind the front of the
building. In some pictures it appears as they are in front. This is still a very popular church to
visit in France.
St. Peter's Basilica church is located in Vatican City, Rome. This church is of late
renaissance period. Michelangelo was one of the architect's that designed the church. The outside
of the Basilica is symmetrical. There is a large dome in the center, and there are two smaller
domes on each side. The entrance of the Basilica is the center, and divides the church into two
equal parts. The size of the Basilica is a little over 5 acres. In pictures up close, the church looks
white or a creamy color, but in far away pictures, the perspective of the church looks shiny silver
I personally feel more drawn to the Notre Dame de Paris. I found the Gothic art more
interesting and engaging to learn and view. I found the Gargoyles very interesting and I had no
idea that they were used to keep rain water off of the buildings. I have always wanted to go to
Paris, and the Notre Dame reminds me of a castle.