Final answer:
Abbot Suger designed the Basilica of St. Denis with a focus on divinity and light to create a spiritual atmosphere, using large stained glass windows for divine illumination. The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres similarly reflects these values with its Gothic architecture that emphasizes height, light, and sacred geometry. These principles aimed to depict Heaven on Earth and were integral to Gothic architectural designs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abbot Suger, inspired by religious concepts of divinity and the symbolic importance of light, incorporated these ideas into the design of the Basilica of St. Denis. He aimed to transform the church into a Heavenly Jerusalem, reflecting the grandeur of God. Key to his vision was the introduction of large stained glass windows, which allowed divine light to permeate the space, creating an ethereal atmosphere that elevated the spiritual experience. This approach was indicative of a broader shift within Gothic architecture, prioritizing height, light, and ornate embellishment to evoke divine presence.
At the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres, similar religious values are manifested through its lofty architecture, pointed arches, and intricate stained glass. These features are not only aesthetically stunning but also serve as instruments of theological education and metaphorical representations of divine light breaking into the darkness of the earthly realm, closely aligning with Abbot Suger's philosophies.
The mature Gothic style, as seen in other edifices like Chartres, continues to embody these spiritual ideals, emphasizing ratios and geometry as expressions of the created universe's perfection. Thus, both the impetus behind and the resulting formal solutions in Gothic architecture were deeply intertwined with the religious and philosophical aspirations of the era, seeking to visibly narrate and honor Christian theological principles.