Vivian Chen

AP Art Hist.
Shefler
Grace Cathedral: Modern Gothic

The Grace Cathedral, situated in San Francisco, is adorned with architectural features

derived from the French Gothic style. Like most Gothic architecture, this cathedral uses the

invention of ribbed vaulting. By doing so, the ceilings could be built much higher than

Romanesque buildings, allowing more light to come through. The height of Grace Cathedral

contributes to impression of splendor, but also one of solemnity. Filled with breathtaking stain

glass windows, flickering candle lights and expertly woven tapestries, these works of art add

bursts of color in an otherwise gray, dark, and serious setting. Mostly constructed in the 1930’s,

this Episcopal Church integrates distinctly Gothic elements infused with modern elements.

Perhaps the two best examples of quintessential Gothic architecture are the Notre Dame and

Chartres Cathedral, both in France. They employ techniques of ribbed vaulting, pointed arches,

stained glass lancelet windows, rose windows with intricate tracery, flying buttresses, and

marmoset statues. Although not all these features can be found in Grace Cathedral, they certainly

provided a source of architectural inspiration.

As I entered the nave, I encountered a circular limestone labyrinth on the floor. The

center of the labyrinth was rose shaped, and narrow curved pathways were arranged in a

mazelike fashion. To walk the labyrinth is meant to be a calming meditative process, allowing

troubled minds to contemplate and find inner peace. Encouraging all peoples to walk the

labyrinth, religious and non-religious alike, Grace Cathedral demonstrates open-mindedness

about their institution. There is an indoor and outdoor labyrinth, both replicas from the Chartres

Cathedral.
 One of the cathedral’s most impressive features are the glimmering stained glass

windows on the towering walls of the interior, recounting biblical scenes from the Old

Testament. Fragments of vibrantly colored glass form faces and figures, illuminating like a

kaleidoscope when the natural light penetrates it. The darkness of the cathedral interior only

accentuates the brightness of the glass, causing them to look even more vivid. Intricately woven

tapestries of unbelievable size are hung on the cathedral walls; each stitch can be seen when

observed closely. The handiwork is admirable, for weaving the tapestries must have demanded

great precision and patience. Along the side aisles, a series of murals cover the wall at eye level.

They are framed nicely by miniature stone arches that run through the lower section of the wall.

Although it is difficult to distinguish a particular sequence or order from the Biblical murals, it is

obvious that some scenes depict more current events, such as the founding of the United Nations.

A majestic organ sits in the choir area, its countless vertical pipes reaching lofty heights.

One could imagine the bellowing sound echoing off the ceiling and corners of the cathedral

when the organ plays. Other than emphasizing the spiritual world through architecture, the

artwork displayed throughout the cathedral carries religious significance. Various sizes, shapes

and styles of crucifixions can be identified. For the most part, the crucifixions are rather

traditional: Jesus’ head is tilted to the right, and his limp body hangs on a cross, made of a

horizontal beam intersecting a vertical one. However, there was one crucifixion that was

conveyed in a more modern sense. The lines of the cross were not straight; it was constructed of

several curved pieces, resembling leaves. When arranged in the proper format, it mimicked the

shape of a cross.
A replica of the “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti is in the very front center of the cathedral. The

doors have ten panels, five vertically aligned panels on each side of the door. Like most artwork

in the cathedral, it illustrates stories from the Bible. Each panel is ornately carved, with all levels

of relief.

Some modern touches can be identified in the cathedral, including a chapel dedicated

AIDS awareness, reference to the United Nations, and a piece of art that is intended to resemble

a reliquary. A reliquary is container that is meant to store that remains of a saint. This piece of art

was not an actual reliquary, for it was composed of bright red pieces of a solid material. These

pieces overlapped, and sometimes intertwined. This created a curious-looking representation of a

reliquary. A mural along the left side of the nave celebrates the founding of the United Nations,

an organization dedicated to keeping peace in the world. People of all ages, backgrounds and

social class are featured in the mural, and flags of participant nations are hung above them. This

reference to a modern day organization illustrates that the Grace Cathedral community holds

world peace as a value as well as their religion. Complete with a memorial quilt, a triptych and

symbols of various religions practiced everywhere; the AIDS chapel encourages awareness of

current issues. A golden triptych stands in the center of the space, telling a biblical story. Instead

of using a naturalistic style to depict figures, this triptych is highly schematic, using basic

contours and shapes to suggest human figures. In order to acknowledge everyone who has

suffered from AIDS, symbols of varying religions, such as Buddhism, Taoist and Jewish, are

displayed on the wall. A circle at the end represents all people who have not been represented by

the religious symbols above. In this sense, the modern references in Grace Cathedral reflect on

how the cathedral community is accepting and open about other cultures and religions beside
their own. It does not strictly adhere to extreme Gothic customs and tradition, but alters or adds

different elements to better fit the 21st century society.