Adilson Tibes Jr.

12-16-13
Art 230 Prof. Stieber
Final Take-Home Exam
A1. The Cathedral of Chartres and the Masjid-i-Shah are both regarded as beautiful examples of
religious architecture. Each representing their respected faiths in their structures and ornaments. At the
same time, we can find many similarities between these two buildings. The Cathedral of Chartres has
the usual Gothic styles commonly found in other European cathedrals. First, the entire structure is
shaped like a Christian cross, symmetrical, with two spectacular towers in the entrance. Second, the use
of flying buttresses and vaults is most noteworthy. These vaults and buttresses are an integral part of
the building and serve as ornamentation at the same time. Unlike other structures, the skeleton of the
cathedral is visible and not hidden as is common in other buildings. Next, clearstory windows and
triforiums decorated with Christian and European scenes bring color into the building. Most important
is the use of decorated nave piers, mullions, and shafts that hold the upper levels. Like the buttresses,
these piers and mullions are part of the building's skeleton and an integral part of the structure. They're
fully visible and part of the cathedral's design. The nave is large and sufficient to seat all the churchgoers. Along both sides of the cathedral, aisles enable visitors to have access to the alter without
disturbing those in the nave. The wooden roof is the only part of the skeletal building not seen by those
inside. It's light and easily held up by a system of buttresses, vaults, and piers. Like the Cathedral of
Chartres, the Masjid-i-Shah is a grand religious building meant to express power and supremacy. Like
other Islamic buildings, the qibla walls points towards Mecca. The mosque is layout next to a complex
network of government buildings, palaces, and other structures unlike the cathedral which stands alone
in open space. To some extent, it can be argued that the mosque is part of a fortified fortress. However,
a beautiful green Persian garden gives a sense of serenity to the structure. It's distinct from the
buildings around it in so many ways. Like the cathedral and European counterparts, Safavi Isfahan
architecture is largely a revival style, an attempt to recreate specific bygone forms, as much for their
ideological overtones as for their appealing shapers. (Welch, p21) The dome in the mosque along with
the portal frame make a harmonious and invigorating composition of their contrasting forms. (Pope,
p210) Inside the mosque, wide carpeted open spaces are functional for religious gatherings. One huge
difference between the Masjid-i-Shah and the Cathedral of Chartres, is the use of decorations. Islamic
buildings have no images of people. Instead, they opt for calligraphy, plants and other vegetation, and
geometric shapes.
The Persian showed preference towards neutral colors such as turquoise when coloring the dome,
entrance, and much of the inside. Europeans in the other hand use very bright colors on their stained
glasses further brightened by the sun's rays. As noted, the cathedral's structure and skeletal system is
fully visible. The mosque, similar in some ways to the Romans, hide the structural system of the
building opting for a simpler design. The Masjid-i-Shah utilized minarets as towers to call the people to
prayer. In a similar fashion, bells were hung on cathedral towers to also call the people to prayer. While
most Islamic buildings face Mecca, European buildings are oriented towards the sun for luminescent
reasons. Both display power, ingenuity, and the religion that binds their respected followers together.
Most fascinating in how both structures use arches as a form of decoration and structural support.