Suger+(Abbott)

=Suger (Abbott)= Suger was a French Abbott along with many other things such as being a statesman, historian, and one of the earliest patrons of the Gothic architecture. Suger was born in 1081 and died on the 13th of January, 1151. At the age of ten he started his education by getting an “oblate” which is something that you give to someone who is dedicated to god at the Abbey of St. Denis, a large medieval church. In 1106 he became secretary to the abbot of St. Denis. (An “Abbott’ is the father of a Christian church and if it were a woman then she would be called an “Abbess”.) Suger soon became the actual Abbott of St. Denis and he held a very high title while working with the kings at the time. Suger’s opinion was really valued and he had an impact on what the King’s decisions. Suger was also known as a designer because of how he helped reorganize and reform the church of Saint-Denis which is why he is known as the “inventor” of gothic architecture. Gothic architecture is unique because it can be traced back to its origin between 1137 and 1144 in the rebuilding of the Royal Abbey Church of Saint-Denis by Abbott Suger. Suger was the patron of the architectural changes of Saint-Denis, meaning he supplied the funds and it seems the design inspiration. Research shows there were two master masons responsible for the Saint-Denis construction during Serger’s time, but both remain anonymous. Gothic architecture is noted for tall pointed arches that can meld together and provide more openness with height, fewer walls and added light. By the 13th century Suger’s Gothic style spread throughout all of Europe and was very popular for two to three hundred years. The Basicalla of Saint-Denis is a large medieval abbey church presently found in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. During Suger’s time the Saint-Denis was an existing 9th century church and he felt it was inadequate for the Royal Family. Suger wanted the church to express the growing power of the Monarchy. Inspired by a writing who Suger was thought was Saint-Denis a patron saint of the church, but was later determined to be from a 6th century philosopher he began changes to the church in its western end. This writing was about how light was connected to the divine. The idea of brightness and color inside a church had been considered by most to be a distraction of worship. Suger felt that visual beauty was not a distraction but a way of inspiring thoughts of the divine. Suger believed that the universe consists of “Father of Lights” (God) the “first radiance” (Christ) and the “smaller lights” (people). Suger wanted the church to allow people to get closer to the “one true light”. The Gothic design with its complex webs of interlocking arches allowed the beautiful church to have fewer walls. This opened up the inside of the church and let light in through the windows. Suger believed the opposite of what the other people did and he thought light was a way to connect with god. As a Royal Adviser, Suger helped with the collaboration between church and state which became the foundation of developing the national states of Western Europe. At this time the Kings power (Capetian Monarchy) was expanding beyond the area only surrounding Paris. When the construction of the Saint-Denis choir was completed in 1144 it was considered the first Gothic Church. Under Suger’s patronage the Saint-Denis was filled with beautiful art pieces like gold vases, stained glass and tapestries because he felt that this was a way to express honor to God. When Suger died in 1151 he had participated in the re-design of the Saint-Denis from its foundation and made the church one of the most impressive in the western world.