Scene Number |
Our Primary Source |
Other Modern Interpretations of the Capital Frieze Scenes |
Additional Comments |
Scene Number |
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| Click below to view the scene. | Adelheid Heimann (1968) |
(Abbé) Jules Alexandre Clerval (1896) |
Henri Jean Louis Joseph Massé (1902) |
René Merlet (1908) |
Margaret & Ernest Marriage (1909) |
Etienne Houvet (c. 1919) |
René Crozet (1971) |
Whitney S. Stoddard & John Pultz (1987) |
Rachel Dressler (1992) |
Kathleen Nolan (1994) |
Philip Maye & Jane Vadnal ( 2006) |
Click below to view the scene. |
| 1 | The refusal of Joachim's and Anna's sacrificial gifts, because they are childless, by the priest in the Temple. | Joachim and Anne are repulsed by the high priest because they are childless. | S. Joachim and S. Anna sent away by the High Priest for being childless. | Joachim and Anne, presenting themselves in the Temple, are repulsed by the high priest because they are childless. | Joachim and Anna, father and mother of the Virgin, come to the temple to present their offerings, which the high priest rejects because they are childless. | Joachim and Anne are spurned by the high priest because they are childless. | [The refusal of Joachim's and Anna's sacrificial gifts, because they are childless, by the priest in the Temple.] | Joachim and Anna's offerings refused by the priest. | Refusal of Offerings of Joachim and Anna. | Refusal of Offerings of Joachim and Anna. | 1 | |
| 2 | Joachim and Anna turn back in distress. | They retreat, very upset. | Their great distress. | Joachim and Anne withdraw. | They go out, ashamed and distressed. | They go away, grieving. | [Joachim and Anna turn back in distress.] | Joachim and Anna turning back in distress. | Anna's figure turns away from the scene. | Annunciation to Anna. | 2 | |
| 3 | Joachim, sitting amongst his flock, is approached by an angel annoucning that Anna will give birth to a daughter. | They are visited by an angel. | Their visitation by an angel. | Appeareance of an angel to Joachim. | Joachim is keeping his flocks in the desert; an angel appears to him and predicts the birth of Mary. | Joachim, seen among his flocks, is visited by an angel. | [Joachim, sitting amongst his flock, is approached by an angel annoucning that Anna will give birth to a daughter.] | Joachim and his flock. | Annunciation to Joachim. | Annunciation to Joachim. | 3 | |
| 4 | Joachim and Anna embracing, seated on a bench (in place of standing under the Golden Gate). | They meet at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem. | Their meeting at the Golden Porch of the Temple. | Meeting of Anne and Joachim at the Golden Gate. | The Meeting of Joachim and Anna. | He meets his wife at the Golden Gate. | In place of the Golden Gate, they are seated on a bench. Joachim and Anne are clasping hands. | Joachim and Anna embracing. | Joachim and Anna embracing. | Meeting at the Golden Gate. | 4 | |
| 5 | Bath of the Virgin in a wooden tub (detail from and in place of the whole scene of her Birth). | Mary is born. | The birth of the Virgin Mary. | Birth of Mary. | Birth of Mary. | Mary is born and washed in a tub by two women. | [Bath of the Virgin.] | Bath of the Virgin. | Bath of infant Mary. | Bath of infant Mary. | Possibly an allusion to the Baptism of Christ scene in the right frieze.JV | 5 |
| 6 | Joachim and Anna discussing Mary's entry into the Temple (?). | Joachim and Anne propose to lead her to the Temple. | Her parents plan to take her to the Temple. | Joachim and Anne decide to present Mary to the Temple. | [These scenes are not described by these authors.] | Joachim and Anne decide to bring their young child to the temple. | [Joachim and Anna discussing Mary's entry into the Temple.] | Joachim and Anna. | Two seated figures. | Group of seated figures. | Possibly a scene in the Protevangelium in which Joachim and Anne discuss taking Mary to the temple when she was two years old, but then decide to wait another year. PM | 6 |
| 7 | Anna with her daughter Mary walking to the Temple. | They lead her there. | They do so. | The lead Mary to the Temple. | The three are seen journeying thither. | Anne presenting Mary to the Temple. Another small rustic note is the head of the donkey behind Anne. | Joachim and Anna accompanying Mary. | Anna and Mary walking to the temple. | Anna and Mary walking to the temple. | 7 | ||
| 8 | Mary mounts three steps to the Temple. Facing her are four priests (?), headless figures, three sitting, one standing, all turned towards her. | They look at her going up the steps to the Temple. | They watch her while going up the Temple steps. | The presentation of Mary. | Mary ascends the steps, while her father stands by and her mother is sitting. | [Mary mounts three steps to the Temple.] | Mary mounting steps to temple, and four priests. | Mary mounts three steps to the temple. | Mary mounts three steps to the temple. | 8 | ||
| They return home. | They return. | The return of Joachim and Anne. | The parents go home. | |||||||||
| 9 | Mary is presented to Joseph, who is recognizable by the flowering rod he carries. | Mary and Joseph are engaged. | The betrothal of the Virgin to S. Joseph. | The engagement of Mary and Joseph. | Mary is taken to the altar by the high priest and Saint Joseph, who holds a flowering stem. | [Mary is presented to Joseph.] | [These scenes are not described by these authors.] | Mary presented to Joseph. | Mary presented to Joseph. | 9 | ||
| 10 | Dextrarum junctio (Sposalizio): The Union of Mary and Joseph. | They are married in front of the grand priest. | The marriage. | The marriage of Mary and Joseph. | Joseph and Mary join hands before the high priest who is marrying them. | [The Union of Mary and Joseph.] | Betrothal. | Betrothal. | 10 | |||
| 11 | Joseph takes Mary home. | They go to Nazareth. | The journey to Nazareth. | Joseph leads Mary along. | The pair are sitting; to the left, an angel foretells the birth of Christ. | [Joseph takes Mary home.] | Joseph takes Mary home. | Joseph takes Mary home. | 11 | |||
| 12 | Mary and Joseph at home, with the Angel of the Annunciation approaching from the left. | The Annunciation. | The Annunciation. | The Annunciation. | The Annunciation. | [The Annunciation.] | The Annunciation. | The Annunciation. | The Annunciation. | 12 | ||
| 13 | The Visitation. | The Visitation. | The Visitation. | The Visitation. | The meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. | Mary visits her cousin Elisabeth and wonders, seeing her with child. | [The Visitation.] | The Visitation. | The Visitation. | The Visitation. | 13 | |
| 14 | The Nativity. | The Nativity of Our Lord. | The Nativity. | The Birth of Jesus. | The Nativity. Joseph is sitting in an armchair. Behind the bed of Mary stand the two midwives. | The Nativity. | The Nativity. He is laid directly and in parallel with Mary, in contrast to the West Façade tympanum, where he is laid on a frame above her. | The Nativity. | The Nativity. | The Nativity. | 14 | |
| 15 | The Annunciation to the Shepherds. | The Adoration of the Shepherds. | The Adoration of the Shepherds. | The Adoration of the Shepherds. | Angels announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. | Angels bring the good tidings to the shepherds. | Adoration of the Shepherds. | The Annunciation to the Shepherds. | The Annunciation to the Shepherds. | The Annunciation to the Shepherds. | 15 | |
| The Annunciation to the Shepherds. | ||||||||||||
| 16 | The three Magi before Herod. | The journey of the Magi to the place of Herod. | The wise men before Herod. | The Magi's at the place of Herod. | The Wise Men before Herod. | The Wise Men inquire of Herod about the birthplace of the new king of the Jews. | The Magi before Herod and his councillors. | The Magi before Herod. | The Magi before Herod. | The Magi before Herod. | 16 | |
| 17 | The heads of their horses, attended by one servant boy near the entrance to the stable, looking out from behind them. | The Horses of the Magi. | The Horses of the Magi. | 17 | ||||||||
| 18 | The Adoration of the Magi, who approach from the right. | Their own adoration. | Their Adoration of the Holy Child. | The Adoration of the Magi. | The Adoration of the Magi. | They bring their offerings to Jesus. | [The Adoration of the Magi.] | The Adoration of the Magi. | The Adoration of the Magi. | The Adoration of the Magi. | 18 | |
| 19 | The Flight into Egypt. | The Flight into Egypt. | The Flight into Egypt. | The Flight into Egypt. | The flight into Egypt. | The flight into Egypt. | The Flight into Egypt. Mary is holding either her breast or a symbol for the whole world. | The Flight into Egypt. | The Flight into Egypt. | The Flight into Egypt. | 19 | |
| 20 | The Massacre of the Innocents. | The Massacre of the Innocents. | The Massacre of the Innocents. | The Massacre of the Innocents. | The Massacre of the Innocents. | The Massacre of the Innocents. | The Massacre of the Innocents. This should appear after the Presentation in the Temple, according to Western iconography. | The Massacre of the Innocents. | The Massacre of the Innocents. | The Massacre of the Innocents. | Final scene (far left): an adult woman grasps the arm of an older child: possibly the flight of Elizabeth and the young John the Baptist. PM | 20 |
| 21 | Elizabeth with her son John the Baptist, who also escaped the Masscre of the Innocents. | The flight of Jesus to the midst of the Doctors. | Christ among the Doctors in the Temple. | Jesus in the middle of the Doctors. | The Birth of Jesus. | Jesus among the doctors. | Two witnesses to the Presentation in the Temple (in the absence of evidence for Elizabeth and John the Baptist). | Elizabeth and her son John the Baptist, hiding. | Elizabeth and John hiding/Circumcision. | Elizabeth and John hiding/Circumcision. | 21 | |
| 22 | Presentation in the Temple. Mary confronts the High Priest Simeon across the altar. | The Circumcision. | The Circumcision. | The Circumcision. | The Circumcision. | The Circumcision. | [Presentation in the Temple.] | The Presentation of Christ to the Temple. | The Presentation in the temple. | The Presentation in the temple. | 22 | |
| The Presentation of Jesus to the Temple. | The Presentation in the Temple. | The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. | The Presentation in the Temple. | The Presentation of our Lord in the Temple. | ||||||||
| 23 | Christ among the Doctors. | His journey to Jerusalem. | The journey to Jerusalem. | The journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. | The visit to Jerusalem. | The visit to Jerusalem. | [Christ among the Doctors.] | Christ among the Doctors. | Christ among the doctors. | Christ among the doctors. | Canopy above scene may represent the Temple. JV | 23 |
| 24 | Mary and Joseph taking Jesus home. | His return to Nazareth. | The return journey to Nazareth. | The return to Nazareth. | The journey back to Nazareth. | [Mary and Joseph taking Jesus home.] | Mary and Joseph taking Jesus home. | Mary and Joseph take Christ home. | Mary and Joseph take Christ home. | 24 | ||
| 25 | St. John the Baptist meditating in the wilderness. | [This scene does not fit any of the scene descriptions by these authors.] | Jesus pondering his visit among the Doctors. | John in the Wilderness. | St. John the Baptist in the wilderness. | St. John the Baptist in the wilderness. | 25 | |||||
| 26 | Baptism of Christ. | His baptism. | The Baptism in the Jordan. | Baptism of Jesus. | The Baptism [of Christ]. | The Baptism of Christ. | [Baptism of Christ.] | The Baptism of Christ. | The Baptism [of Christ]. | The Baptism [of Christ]. | 26 | |
| 27 | The Temptation of Christ. | His Temptation. | The Temptation. | His Temptation. | The Temptation. | The temptation in the wilderness. | [The Temptation of Christ.] | The Temptation of Christ. | The Temptation. | The Temptation. | 27 | |
| 28 | The first two disciples: Simon and Andrew. | The pact of Judas. | Judas convenanting with the High Priest. | Pact of Judas. | Judas selling His master. | Judas is prompted by two Jewish priests to sell his master. | The first two disciples: Simon and Andrew. | Simon and Andrew. | Calling of the first two Apostles. [Simon and Andrew?] |
Simon and Andrew. | 28 | |
| 29 | Judas receiving the thirty pieces of silver. | Judas receiving the thirty pieces of silver. | The bribing of Judas. | Judas receives thirty pieces of silver. | Judas receives thirty pieces of silver. | 29 | ||||||
| 30 | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | The Last Supper. | 30 | |
| 31 | Peter smites Malchus. | The seizing of Jesus. | The Betrayal in the Garden. | The kiss of Judas and the arrest of Jesus. | Jesus heals the ear of Malchus, which Peter had cut off. | The Betrayal Scene: Saint Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus, in His defence. | [Peter smites Malchus.] | Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus. | Peter and Malchus. | Peter and Malchus. | 31 | |
| 32 | Betrayal. | The Taking of Jesus: Jusdas betrays the Saviour by a kiss, a man leads Christ away. | The Betrayal Scene: on being kissed by Judas, Jesus is led away. | [Betrayal.] | Betrayal. | Betrayal. | Betrayal. | 32 | ||||
| 33 | Entry into Jerusalem with the Greeks asking after the Lord. | His entrance to Jerusalem on the day of palms. | The triumphal entry into Jerusalem. | Triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. | The Entry into Jerusalem. | The Entry into Jerusalem. | Entry into Jerusalem. The two figures Heimann believes are Greek, are part of the preceeding scene of the Betrayal. | Entry into Jerusalem. | Entry into Jerusalem. | Entry into Jerusalem. | 33 | |
| 34 | Entombment. | His placement in the sepulcher by Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus. | The Burial by Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus. | His entombment. | The Entombment. | The Entombment of Jesus. | [Entombment.] | The Entombment. | Entombment. | Entombment. | 34 | |
| 35 | The three Marys at the Empty Sepulchure. | His resurrection. | The Resurrection. | His resurrection. | The Resurrection. | The Holy Women, coming to the sepulchure, find it empty; the soldiers set to watch are asleep under it. | [The three Marys at the Empty Sepulchure.] | The Holy Women, at the Sepulchure. | Three Marys at the sepulchure. | Three Marys at the sepulchure. | 35 | |
| 36 | Christ washing the Apostles' feet. | Jesus washes the feet of His apostles. | Christ washing the Apostles' feet. | The washing of feet. | Jesus washes the disciples' feet. | Jesus washes the apostles' feet. | [Christ washing the Apostles' feet.] | Christ Washing the Apostles' Feet. | Christ washing the Apostles' feet. | Christ washing the Apostles' feet. | 36 | |
| 37 | Christ with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. | He accompanies the disciples to Emmaus. | The disciples' journey to Emmaus. | The disciples of Emmaus encounter the resurrected Jesus. | Christ walks with the disciples of Emmaus. | He walks with the two disciples of Emmaus. | [Christ with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus.] | Christ on the road to Emmaus. | Christ on the road to Emmaus. | Christ on the road to Emmaus. | 37 | |
| 38 | Supper at Emmaus. | He eats with them. | Christ sups with them. | They dine with him. | The supper at Emmaus. | He sits at meal with them. | [Supper at Emmaus.] | Supper at Emmaus. | Supper at Emmaus. | Supper at Emmaus. | 38 | |
| 39 | Denial of Peter. | They return to Jerusalem. | Their return to Jerusalem. | The return to Jerusalem. | The disciples of Emmaus, having come to Jerusalem, relate to the apostles how they have seen Jesus. | The disciples return to Jerusalem in order to relate what they have seen. | [Denial of Peter.] | Denial of Peter. | Unknown figures. | Peter's Denial. | 39 | |
| 40 | Christ commanding Peter 'Feed my sheep.' | [Christ commanding Peter 'Feed my sheep.'] | Christ commanding Peter 'Feed my sheep.' | Incredulity of Thomas. | Incredulity of Thomas. | 40 | ||||||
| 41 | Mission of the Apostles. | Jesus appears for the last time to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. | The final appearance of Christ on the Mount of Olives. | The last appearance of Jesus to his disciples. | Jesus sends forth the apostles to preach throughout the world. | The Saviour's last apparition. | Incredulity of Thomas. | Mission of the Apostles. | Doubting of Thomas, or the Missioning of the Apostles. | Missioning of the Apostles. | 41 | |
| 42 | Three Apostles leaving on their mission. | [Three Apostles leaving on their mission.] | Three Apostles leaving. | 42 | ||||||||
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