LDS Scripture Commentary / Photos: Chartres Cathedral
Chartres, north side, center portal
INNER ARCH
• Eighth archivolt: Creation and Fall [bottom to top]
(1) Creation of heaven and earth;
(2) Creation of day and night [can't see]. Left figure likely not divine since no nimbus, but instead is the author of Genesis;
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†North side, lancets, left to right: True versus false sovereigns (restored)
• Window 145C - North side, far left lancet: Melchizedek standing over Nebuchadnezzar (true king over the false Babylonian pretender to world-lordship, worshipping idol of his dream).
• Window 145B - North side, near left lancet: King David standing over King Saul (the chosen king over the apostate king rejected by God, who dies via suicide in despair).
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† Window 145 - North rose: Rose of France glorifying the Virgin (restored, detail)
Virgin in center with Infant Jesus. Surrounded by four doves, four angels, and four Thrones. These are followed by twelve kings of Judah, Mary's ancestors. The outer ring contains twelve minor prophets.
The window was donated while Queen Blanche was regent of France (circa 1230). The arms of France alternating with Castile are seen below the rose itself. The entire ensemble is a none-too-subtle bit of royal propaganda, with Mary (the Queen of Heaven) at the center of it all. Note too that the figures below the rose in the lancets contrast a legitimate righteous sovereign with corrupt, foolish, or fallen ones. Blanche seems to have wanted no doubt about how she ought to be considered.
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Chartres, North side, right portal
INNER ARCH
• Second archivolt: lives of Gideon on the right
† Dragon;
† Gideon visited by angel while he winnows corn;
Third archivolt: life of Judith (prefiguring Mary)
† Head of Holofernes
† Judith speaks with King Ozias, rebukes him for surrendering the town;
• Fourth archivolt: Tobias, son of Tobit, who restored vision to his father as Christ would to Israel (continued from left half of arch).
† Tobias returns and cures his father's blindness;
† Crowned head.
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† Window 145 - North rose: Rose of France glorifying the Virgin (restored)
Virgin in center with Infant Jesus. Surrounded by four doves, four angels, and four Thrones. These are followed by twelve kings of Judah, Mary's ancestors. The outer ring contains twelve minor prophets.
The window was donated while Queen Blanche was regent of France (circa 1230). The arms of France alternating with Castile are seen below the rose itself. The entire ensemble is a none-too-subtle bit of royal propaganda, with Mary (the Queen of Heaven) at the center of it all. Note too that the figures below the rose in the lancets contrast a legitimate righteous sovereign with corrupt, foolish, or fallen ones. Blanche seems to have wanted no doubt about how she ought to be considered.
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Chartres, north side, center portal
INNER ARCH
• Eighth archivolt: Creation and Fall [bottom to top]
(17) Driven from Eden
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Chartres, North side, right portal
INNER ARCH
• Second archivolt: lives of Sampson on the left
Left:
† Samson finds honey in lion's mouth;
Third archivolt: life of Esther (prefiguring Mary)
† Mordecai speaks to Esther's eunuch, presents scroll of degree against the Jews;
• Fourth archivolt: Tobias, son of Tobit, who restored vision to his father as Christ would to Israel.
Left:
† Tobit becomes blind;
† Tobit speaks with his wife;
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Chartres, north side, left portal, left side
JAMB FIGURES
• Isaiah (prophet of Christ's coming, now headless), and then Annunciation (Gabriel treading on devil; Mary treading on serpent).
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Chartres, north side, center portal
INNER ARCH
• Eighth archivolt: Creation and Fall [bottom to top]
Note cruciform nimbus, identifying creator as Christ.
(3) Creation of firmament
(4) Creation of plants
(5) Creation of sun and moon
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• Eighth archivolt: Creation and Fall [bottom to top]
Note cruciform nimbus, identifying creator as Christ.
(7) Creation of animals.
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