'foolish virgins' - Strasbourg Cathedral sculptures
Alongside the right door on Strasbourg Cathedral's west front are these four statues depicting three 'foolish virgins' and, on the far left, a young man tempting them with an apple. (On the opposite side of the door, not seen here, stand 'wise virgins'.) These refer to the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
The right hand pair of 'foolish virgins' seen here are both (foolishly) carrying lamps upside down - so the oil would drip out - which is a common feature of depictions of this parable in art.
Not visible in this photo, but crucial to the sculpture's meaning, are the toads and snakes carved into the folds at the back of the tempter's cloak: unmistakable indicators of his evil nature, in stark contrast to his smiling face.
These are copies of the original statues (from roughly 1280-1300) which are in Strasbourg's Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame.
'foolish virgins' - Strasbourg Cathedral sculptures
Alongside the right door on Strasbourg Cathedral's west front are these four statues depicting three 'foolish virgins' and, on the far left, a young man tempting them with an apple. (On the opposite side of the door, not seen here, stand 'wise virgins'.) These refer to the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
The right hand pair of 'foolish virgins' seen here are both (foolishly) carrying lamps upside down - so the oil would drip out - which is a common feature of depictions of this parable in art.
Not visible in this photo, but crucial to the sculpture's meaning, are the toads and snakes carved into the folds at the back of the tempter's cloak: unmistakable indicators of his evil nature, in stark contrast to his smiling face.
These are copies of the original statues (from roughly 1280-1300) which are in Strasbourg's Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame.