IMAGES OF MEDIEVAL ART AND ARCHITECTURE
FRANCE: CHARTRES
NORTH FACADE CENTRAL PORTAL (Virgin Portal)
Tympanum: Coronation of the Virgin
Archivolts
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Inner archivolt: Chorus of Angels
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Outer archivolts: Ancestors of Christ-Jesse Tree
Katzenellenbogen, p. 59.
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Trumeau Figure
| St. Anne holding the Virgin Mary |
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Jamb Figures
LEFT SIDE
Old Testament Prophets:
Melchizedek: Old Testament priest and king of Salem
Holds a chalice and an incense censor
Socle below has figure of lamb (not shown)
Abraham: About to sacrifice his son Isaac
Looks above to right at angel over the head of
Melchizedek (intervening to save Isaac)
Socle below has ram with horns caught in bush
Moses: Holds Tablets of the Law and staff with brazen serpent
Socle below shows golden calf worshiped by Isrialites
Samuel: Holds sacrificial lamb
Socle below shows figure (Saul?)
David: Holds lance, nails, and Crown of Thorns (Instruments of
Christ's Passion)
Socle below shows figure (Saul?)
References: Kidson p. 199.
RIGHT SIDE
Old Testament Prophets:
Isaiah: Prophet of Incarnation and author of Jesse Tree
Holds and points to flowering rod
Socle below has recumbent figure of Jesse
Jeremiah: Holds disk with cross
Socle below has one of Jews who attempted to stone him
Simeon: Priest at Presentation of Christ Child at the Temple
Holds the Christ Child
John the Baptist: Baptized Christ. Beheaded at orders of Herod at
the request of Salome
Holds disk with Agnus (Lamb)
St. Peter: Apostle and first pope
Holds keys to Kingdom of Heaven
Stands on a cloud representing Heaven
References: Kidson p. 199-200.
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Updated by Jane Vadnal, April, 1998
