Chartres North Exterior Slides 114

Chartres North Exterior Slides 114

Chartres, North side, right portal
INNER ARCH
• First archivolt: twelve angels bearing sun, moon, and stars.
• Second archivolt: life of Sampson
† Samson carries off the gates of Gaza.

• Third archivolt: lives of Esther and Judith (prefiguring Mary) on left and right respectively
Left:

† Esther kneels before the king (note parallels with Judith, opposite);
† Mordecai sends messenger with new degree permitting the Jews to defend themselves if attacked.

• Fourth archivolt: Tobias, son of Tobit, who restored vision to his father as Christ would to Israel.
Left:

† Tobit speaks with his wife;
† Tobit sends son with letter to Gabelus;
† Tobit blesses son before departure, with angel watching;
† Tobias travels with dog (fidelity) and angel watching;

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