Cathedrale de Chartres (North Porch figures)
The magnificent cathedral at Chartres, dubbed the "Acropolis of France" by Rodin, still beckons pilgrims far off across the endless cornfields of the Beauce.
Chartres attracted pilgrims at an ealry date, first of all to Our Lady of the Underground, then to the cathedral which Bishop Fulbert built in the 11th century but which was burnt down in 1194.
Recontruction began immediately and was completed in the short space of 25 years. The new Notre Dame Cathedral raised the Transitional Gothic style to new levels of achievement.
Gothic verticality reigns both inside and out, but the architect wisely kept two Romanesque masterworks, the Old Bell Tower of 1145, and the Royal Doorway of the west front with its long-bodied but intensely expressive sculpted figures.
The North Porch entrance is flanked by two sets of figures. The one shown here depicts (from l to r) Melchizadech, Abraham and Isaac, Moses, Samuel, and David as king.
Cathedrale de Chartres (North Porch figures)
The magnificent cathedral at Chartres, dubbed the "Acropolis of France" by Rodin, still beckons pilgrims far off across the endless cornfields of the Beauce.
Chartres attracted pilgrims at an ealry date, first of all to Our Lady of the Underground, then to the cathedral which Bishop Fulbert built in the 11th century but which was burnt down in 1194.
Recontruction began immediately and was completed in the short space of 25 years. The new Notre Dame Cathedral raised the Transitional Gothic style to new levels of achievement.
Gothic verticality reigns both inside and out, but the architect wisely kept two Romanesque masterworks, the Old Bell Tower of 1145, and the Royal Doorway of the west front with its long-bodied but intensely expressive sculpted figures.
The North Porch entrance is flanked by two sets of figures. The one shown here depicts (from l to r) Melchizadech, Abraham and Isaac, Moses, Samuel, and David as king.