The answer is Abbot Suger. He is the monastic leader
with whom the new Gothic style is most commonly connected. He revitalized
Platonic ideas (Neo-Platonism) which suggested that looking at and
contemplating beautiful objects, sacred images, and architecture, leads one's
soul into closer union with the Divine. His thoughts led to the creation of the
new choir at St. Denis in the Gothic style (1145). It was thought that Stained
glass, altered everyday light into "splendor" or the light of heaven,
transforming a church interior into the heavenly city or New Jerusalem portrayed
in Revelation (the Bible) in translucent terms.
