What is Neoplatonic philosophy and how did Abbot Suger design the choir at Saint-Denis to embody its concepts?
What will be an ideal response?
The ideal answer should include:
1. Neoplatonic philosophy considered radiant light a physical manifestation of God.
2. Suger used the concept of divine luminosity as the basis for the design of the new abbey church with walls composed largely of stained-glass windows.
3. Although the choir retains key features of Romanesque architecture, such as pointed arches, ribbed groin vaults, and external buttressing, the builders' coordinated use of these features created an architecture that emphasized open, flowing space, enclosed by non-load-bearing walls of colorful stained glass.
4. Suger believed that the contemplation of light was a means of illuminating the soul and uniting it with God, and the design of Saint-Denis provided his monks with an environment suitable for their lives of prayer and meditation.
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