Gothic Painting

The Gothic style began with architecture and sculpture in the 12th century. In the realm of painting, the change to Gothic didn't become visible until half a century later after the first cathedrals. The transition from Romanesque was slow, and didn't occur in some areas until around 1300. During the Gothic period painting was practiced in four primary medias: frescos, panel paintings, manuscript illumination and stained glass. In contrast to Romanesque and Byzantine styles, the paintings of the Gothic era demonstrate an increased naturalism, figures becoming more animated in pose and facial expression, arranged more freely in the pictorial space.