This term now designates a stylistic period in western european art and architecture, especially france and england, from the twelfth to the sixteenth century (with geographic variations in timing). The word gothic refers specifically to the germanic tribe of northern europe, and was thence applied (first by giorgio vasari) to trends in northern european art and architecture, particularly the large cathedrals built in france in the twelfth century at st. Denis and chartres and characterized by pointed arches, flying buttresses and the expansive, lofty interior spaces and massive though intricate stained glass windows they made possible. An “international gothic” style developed later in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries, amalgamating artistic trends in northern and central europe and italy, and noted for its increased use of naturalistic modeling, investigations of rationalized perspective, and a novel richness and vividness of detail, ornament and color in painting.