Sugar Land Branch Library’s “Art and Culture” Series Focuses On Gothic Cathedrals

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Fort Bend County Libraries’ Sugar Land Branch Library will have an educational series focusing on “Art and Culture.” The first program in the series, “Art and Culture: Gothic Cathedrals,” will take place on Saturday, December 15th, from 2 to 4 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 550 Eldridge.

In this segment in the series, former architecture professor Sheba Akhtar will talk about Gothic architecture and art, which flourished in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages, originating in 12th-century France and lasting into the 16th century.

Hear about how characteristics of the Gothic period, including urbanization, economic prosperity, professional guilds, the crusades (1095-1291), and the veneration of the Virgin Mary, influenced the design of structures such as the Basilica of St. Denis, Chartres Cathedral, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Akhtar will also talk about Abbott Suger and the incorporation of stained-glass windows in structures.

Akhtar received her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania and taught art and architecture history for 20 years. She has practiced as an architect in the United States, England, Scotland, Jordan, and Pakistan. She is the author of “Of Colour and Form” and numerous articles on art and architecture.

 The series will continue in January and February with programs on Renaissance Art and Impressionism.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Sugar Land Branch Library at 281-238-2140 or 281-633-4734.