Final answer:
Elaborate detailing and intricate craftsmanship are characteristic of the Gothic sculptures found in Reims Cathedral. They served both decorative and didactic functions, using human figures to convey religious stories and morals.
Step-by-step explanation:
By looking at the artwork in the Reims Cathedral, one can notice elaborate detailing and intricate craftsmanship. This is characteristic of Gothic sculptures, which often decorated the facades of cathedrals, including portals, altars, columns, and niches. The sculptures not only served a decorative function but also had didactic purposes, teaching the stories and morals of the church. Gothic era also saw sculptures representing human figures prominently, in contrast to certain Islamic art which refrained from human depiction, focusing rather on patterns and calligraphy.
The Reims Cathedral, like many Gothic constructions of the period, encompasses figurative sculptures that underwent stylistic evolution during the extended periods it took to complete such grand projects. A focus on humanism and naturalism became more evident as the Gothic period evolved, setting the stage for the coming Renaissance. The sculptures also bear witness to the technical advancements of the era, showing a sense of clarity and three-dimensionality in the figures.