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IMG 4903

IMG 4903

Chartres west side, central portal, tympanum

• Christ in glory sits in the center, surrounded by symbols of the four gospel authors (evangelists):

• Matthew - winged man
• Mark - winged lion
• Luke - winged ox or bull
• John - eagle

• In the lintel beneath, the twelve apostles are in four groups of three.
• To their immediate left stands Elijah; to their right stands Enoch.

• The first archivolt: twelve angels.
• The second and third archivolts: twenty-four elders of the apocalypse (see Revelation 4:4).

Album: Chartres-Cathedral

Categories: Chartres-Cathedral

Tags: #4 evangelists #Chartres #france #Jesus Christ #Saint John #Saint Luke #Saint Mark #Saint Matthew #TCS-photo #cathedral #Detail #exterior #lintel #west side

Chartres South Exterior Slides 090

Chartres South Exterior Slides 090

Chartres west side, right portal, tympanum

• At top: infant Jesus enthroned on Mary's lap flanked by two angels
• Below: presentation at the temple
• Lintel: the Nativity story. (a) At the far left the Annunciation by the angel; (b) next Mary and Elizabeth meeting; (c) then the nativity: Joseph stands to the left, Mary lies on the altar-like bed, with the Infant Jesus on top; finally (d) at the far right, the angel brings glad tidings to the shepherds.

• First archivolt: Pisces (fish), Gemeni (twins), then 6 angels, Music (one of the seven liberal arts), Pythagorus (first defined mathematical relationship of harmonious tones).
• Second archivolt: Aristotle, Dialectic, Cicero, Rhetoric..obscured..then Astronomy, Ptolemy, Grammar, Priscian or Donatus.

Album: Chartres-Cathedral

Categories: Chartres-Cathedral

Tags: #Chartres #france #Infant Jesus #Mary #Nativity #Presentation at the Temple #TCS-photo #angels #Archivolt #calendar of months #cathedral #date estimate #Detail #exterior #liberal arts #restored #Right #tympanum #west side #zodiac

P1020670

P1020670

Chartres, north side, center portal

TYMPANUM

• Mary crowned in glory beside Christ, with angels.

LINTEL

• The Dormition and Assumption of Mary. On the left, the apostles surround her bier; Christ receives her into heaven. On the right, angels bear her body to heaven.

JAMB FIGURES

Left:
• Elisha (Far left) - Shumanite woman beneath.
• Melchizedek - wearing crown, with bread and wine (which he gave Abraham; prefigures the Eucharist). Lamb beneath.
• Abraham - looks up at angel halting the sacrifice of Isaac. Ram beneath.
• Moses - with brazen serpent on the pole, symbol of Christ's crucifixion. Golden calf beneath.
• Samuel - sacrifices a lamb.
• King David - carries instruments of the Passion, which his Psalm 22 foretold. Beneath lion of Judah.

• Center Figure: Saint Anne with Mary, Joachim with flocks underneath.

Right:
• Isaiah - hold flowering stem, the "rod out of Jesse." Jessee beneath.
• Jeremiah - with Greek cross
• Simeon - testified of Christ at the Presentation at the Temple, holds the infant Christ.
• John the Baptist - note coat of camel hair, and he points to the lamb of God. Dragon beneath.
• Peter - dressed as pope, the continuity with Melchizedek, his opposite on the left. He stands on the rock.

INNER ARCH

• First archivolt: twelve angels
• Second archivolt: Prophets
• Third archivolt: Jesse Tree
• Fourth archivolt: Jesse Tree continues
• Fifth archivolt: Prophets
• Sixth and seventh archivolts: 44 seated figures with scrolls and books
• Eighth archivolt: Creation and Fall.

original (4295078173)

Album: Chartres-Cathedral

Categories: Chartres-Cathedral

Tags: #Abraham #Assumption of Mary #Chartres #Dormition of Mary #Elijah #Elisha #Eucharist #france #Greek cross #Infant Jesus #Isaac #Isaiah #Jeremiah #Jesus Christ #John the Baptist #King David #Mary #Melchizedek #Moses #Passion #Peter #Rod of Jesse #Sacrifice of Isaac #Samuel #Shumanite woman #Simeon #TCS-photo #angels #apostles #brazen serpent #cathedral #Center #dragon #exterior #golden calf #lion of Judah #north side #Ram #restored #sculpture #stone reliefs