The tracery in the cathedral’s choir – an avant-garde form in the architecture of 13th-century Wrocław

Journal Title: Architectus - Year 2018, Vol 22, Issue 1

Abstract

The topic of the article is the morphological analysis and interpretation of the traceries of the choir of the cathedral in Wrocław. The tracery of the east window of the presbytery is particularly interesting, in its couronnement appears a nine­lobe open rosette of a “drop” shape. There is no other tracery of this kind or a close analogy which would be dated prior to the time of the creation of this window (before 1268). Its complicated and unusual form prompts us to ask a number of questions – about its authenticity, its dating or genesis, and its place in Gothic architecture. The material structure was reconstructed after the destruction of World War II according to the pre­war state, which probably corresponded to the medieval shape. Based on the analysis of forms, it can be stated that the builders operating in Wrocław were familiar with the latest developments in the design of traceries, among others, that of cathedrals of Paris, Amiens and Cologne. As in the case of sculptural details, there are no stylistic delays in relation to the leading centers. The tracery of Wrocław, whose main motif is a nine­lobe open rosette, is not a passive reception of western influences and achievements, but a highly individual creation based on a thorough mastery of the geometrical way of design by an architect searching for original solutions. Unconventional, innovative creations appeared simultaneously in Minden and in Pforta, however, these are parallel phenomena and not the prototypes for the Wrocław design. Their common sources are the centers of Gothic architecture in northern France.

Authors and Affiliations

Jarosław Jarzewicz

Keywords

Related Articles

Agropolis – part II. A modern city farm

In the article the types of spatial scale urban farms which appear in urban renewal projects are disscussed. Regeneration method for creating agricultural zones in cities is an innovative, future-oriented urban redevelop...

The art of observation and drawing

This article describes the relationship between active perception of space and hand­drawing, with particular emphasis on their role in developing creative skills of architects. There are four categories of vision and the...

Sztuka patrzenia i rysowania

W artykule opisano związki między umiejętnością aktywnej percepcji przestrzeni a rysunkiem odręcznym, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem ich roli w rozwijaniu umiejętności twórczych architektów. Wyróżniono cztery kategor...

Zastosowanie algorytmów optymalizacyjnych w badaniach nad wczesnośredniowieczną urbanistyką na przykładzie Placu Targowego w Abû Mînâ (Egipt)

Artykuł proponuje zastosowanie algorytmów optymalizacyjnych w badaniach organicznego rozwoju wczesnośredniowiecznej osady w Abû Mînâ (Egipt). Na podstawie zrekonstruowanej liczby mieszkańców w poszczególnych zespołach za...

Docent Jadwiga Sławińska – Honorowa Profesor Politechniki Wrocławskiej

W tekście przedstawiono zarys niezwykłej historii życia i twórczości Profesor Jadwigi Sławińskiej, od chwili urodzin w Łodzi, poprzez dramatyczną ucieczkę z getta i trudne losy w czasach powojennych, aż po wybitne sukces...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP290156
  • DOI 10.5277/arc180102
  • Views 67
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Jarosław Jarzewicz (2018). The tracery in the cathedral’s choir – an avant-garde form in the architecture of 13th-century Wrocław. Architectus, 22(1), 21-37. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-290156