What connection did Gothic art actually have with the Gothic tribes?

It is a common misconception that Gothic art is historically linked to the Gothic tribes. In reality, Gothic art has no connection to these Germanic peoples.1

The term "Gothic" was coined by Italian writers during the Renaissance as a derogatory label. These writers, who favored classical styles, attributed the invention of medieval architecture to the Goths, whom they viewed as "barbarians" responsible for destroying the Roman Empire and its classical culture. By using this name, they intended to characterize the style as nonclassical and ugly.12

This label was applied posthumously, long after the style had flourished in Middle Ages Europe. While the term remains a standard in art history today, modern scholars recognize that it is a misnomer and that the people who created this art did not identify themselves as Gothic.21