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By

Matt Tooker and Andrew Bigam

The archivolt is the subdivision of the portal that shows the actual arch, seen here.

The tympanum is the flat part of the portal surrounded by the archivolt, as seen here.

Etymology of archivolt

Archivolt derives from the latin roots arcus and volvere.

Arcus means bow or arch.

Volvere means to roll.

The english translation originated from the french word archivolte and the Italian word archivolto.

Notice that there are

7 rows of sculpture.

7 is considered a holy

number and the architects

believed that using this

number as well as others,

made the building more

perfect and more holy.

There are 6 sculptures standing

on either side of the entrance.

This adds up to 12. This mostly

depicts the 12 apostles. Once

again the architects believed

that using these specific numbers

made their building more holy.

Notice how there are many figures

lining the rows of the archivolt. This

is an example of manifestatio by

taking the solid ogive arch and breaking

it down into 7 rows, then breaking it

down again into the multitude of figures

which you see here.

The Significance

This video shows more of the faith used

in creating the cathedrals. The archivolts

and tympanum were some of the first things

visitors saw as they made their pilgrimages

to these great cathedrals. Most of those who visited were illiterate, and these sculptures, working as 'encyclopedias' were vital in educating the masses about Christian theology.

This is the ogive arch.

Again, notice the pointed top. This is the key feature of the ogive arch.

However this is not where the arch originated

from.

This is the Roman Arch

This is the original arch. Notice the rounded top which pushes the weight of the load outward, requiring massive buttresses and thick walls.

Conclusion

In conclusion, through the use of numbers and multiplicity incorporated in Christian faith, the archivolts and tympanums used in many Gothic cathedrals display symbolic religious sculpture that demonstrates a sense of God's unified and infinite power over all things.

The archivolt and tympanum of these cathedrals are more commonly known as the portal, or entry way into the building.

Cathedrals

Beginning in 11th century Europe, many devout Christians wanted to praise their God in the mightiest of methods. One imaginative display was to build massive monuments of their faith- the Gothic Cathedrals. By stretching the building's dimensions to the extremes, the reverent believed that this enormous display of their spirituality and devotion to Christ would please their God and strengthen their relationship, thus bringing them closer to salvation.

Archivolt

Tympanum

Here is a religious display on the portal of the Chartres Cathedral in France. On the tympanum you see a depiction of Jesus Christ sitting upon a throne and blessing with his right hand. This symbolizes how God cares for and blesses all of his people, and him sitting on a kingly throne; a display of his overpowering and infinite unity above all things.

Faith and Religion

Archivolts and tympanums often displayed symbolic religious sculpture to represent a sense of God's infinite and unified power over all things. They were considered the doorways into the cathedrals, but also much more. They often depicted captivating scenes from the Holy Bible, such as Christ's crucifixion and the last supper. A very common display on these decorations was countless angels observing the holy community. This technique is called multiplicity- that is when a design repeats shapes, symbols, or structures to increase the sanctity of God, Jesus, and Mary.

Specifically here on the portal of Amiens Cathedral, the archivolt displays abounding and seemingly infinite overseeing angels. This is a symbol that conveys the idea that all of God's children on Earth, including Jesus and his followers featured on the tympanum, are perpetually being watched and protected from all angles; indefinitely by God.

"Were there no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank." -Christina Rossetti

On how God's unified and infinite power is essential to us all.

Through the use of numbers and multiplicity incorporated in Christian faith, the archivolts and tympanums used in many Gothic cathedrals display symbolic religious sculpture that demonstrates a sense of God's unified and infinite power over all things.

  • one
  • two
  • three
  • four
  • five

Archivolts and Tympanum display divine order as well as the infinite power of God through the use of Multiplicity, Manifestatio and sacred numbers.

Logic of the Archivolt and

Tympanum

Sacred numbers in Archivolts and Tympanum

Origin of the

Archivolt

The archivolt stemmed from the

ogive arch. The ogive arch had a

pointed top in comparison to the

original roman arch. The pointed

top allowed for taller and thinner

walls to be built of top of them

because more of the load was sent

straight to the ground as opposed

to outwards.

Bible stories told through the

archivolt

Start here

Finish here

Works Cited

Kapusta, Steven N. "Archivolt."

Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 1 December 2013.

Physik, John. "Decorative Sculpture on the

exterior of the Victoria and Albert Museum." Victoria and Albert Museum. 1978, revised 2007. Web. 4 December 2013.

Benedict XVI. "General Audience of Pope

Benedict XVI." General Audience of Pope Benedict XVI. Vatican, 18 November 2009. Web. 6 December 2013.

Kirkby, Andrea. "How to Read a Gothic

Cathedral Facade" Youtube. 19, April 2008. Web. 11 December 2013.

Rossetti, Christina. Search Quotes. Web. 11

December 2012.

Sacred numbers in Archivolts

and Tympanum

Notice that there are 7 rows of

sculptures. 7 is considered a

very holy number.

Notice that there are specifically 5 figures.

Notice the 6 figures on either side of the

entrance. This adds up to 12, most likely

representing the apostles.

Image by Tom Mooring

These astonishing cathedrals, often enticing people for their holy relics, became the destination of continuous pilgrimages, where anyone in the public could pause in prayer for their savior.

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