Who is the architect of chartres cathedral

As a result, the cathedral exemplifies the Gothic values of height and height, which were only realized because Gothic architects managed to channel the weight of the ceilings and walls to specific points externally reinforced by heavy flying buttresses and supporting piers, thus minimizing the load on the walls. Consequently, not only could the ceiling be higher and more awesome but also the walls could house much bigger and more inspirational stained glass windows. And more glass meant less Romanesque-style gloom but lots more Christian art for worshippers to enjoy.

Amazingly out of the original stained glass windows, installed , have survived: a unique occurrence for a medieval cathedral. Note: The great German Gothic structure of Cologne Cathedral has a window surface area of 10, square metres - roughly three times larger than the area of glass at Chartres. Equally impressive are the three great facades, each with its own rose window and embellished with hundreds of architectural statues and areas of Biblical relief sculpture , illustrating important theological narratives.

The interior of the cathedral also contains numerous items of sculpture, including wood carving : the choir enclosure, for instance, contains over statues depicting over 40 scenes. For more about the Gothic style of building design, please see Rayonnant Gothic Architecture c. Flying Buttresses. The use of buttresses see figure, left led to the abandonment of the graduated external profile in favour of an elevation on two levels, simple but majestic.

The composition of the volumes is repeated in the sequence of the tall, massive buttresses that repeat on the exterior the rhythm of the internal bays. The weight of the vaults is passed to the buttresses by way of double arches and arcades of radial colonettes. The greater liberty made possible by the buttressing of the vaults thanks to rampant arches and the consequent abolition of tribunes permitted the master of Chartres to organize the interior spaces of the nave in a highly original way.

He made a building that seems classical in the harmony of its proportions, as is clear in the elevation, where the arcade and the clerestory are given the same value. The cathedral school at Chartres had been a famous centre of learning under the bishop St Fulbert This didactic tone was later expressed in the programme selected for the glass and the sculpture, which was evidently the product of much learning.

It unfolded a vision of the role of the church in world history that was promoted by Pope Innocent III when the temporal power of the papacy was at its height. The program was given expression in the sculpture on the Royal Portal of , on the west front, and on the two immense transepts that were added on the north and south sides. Each is a miniature pilgrimage church, with a traditional west front with three portals and porches where figure sculpture stresses the mission of the church to teach and preach.

The north portal, containing more than figures, shows the antecedents of Christ, the south the era of the church. Chartres has become the focus of a new type of pilgrimage dedicated to the preservation of the Latin Mass, which, following the Second Vatican Council, was replaced in by the graceless new liturgy. Thousands of pilgrims travel to it on foot, saying the rosary, to hear the timeless words of the old Mass in this darkly glowing interior.

Chartres Cathedral Welcome to Chartres Cathedral, probably the finest example of French Gothic architecture and said by some to be the most beautiful cathedral in France. Chartres Cathedral Royal Portal Sculpture. The west portal of Chartres Cathedral, known as the Royal Portal, was part of a campaign to beautify the cathedral, …. Read More. Chartres Cathedral Transepts.

In the central scene Christ appears human, mild and gentle, an image that became known as the Beau-Dieu, the "handsome God. The stained glass on the south portal : Known as South Rose, it depicts the Glorification of Christ: Christ blessing surrounded by Four Evangelists and angels, then the elders of the Apocalypse, then the arms of donors to the cathedral.

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Exclusive 60 day trial to the world's largest digital library. The rapidity of work, rather rare at that time, allowed the cathedral to have quite an exceptional architectural consistency.

The cathedral had few modifications carried out during the following centuries:. At that time, the army of the Catholic League held the cities of Reims and Paris and put up resistance to the King due to his Protestant background. During the French Revolution , the treasure was plundered and the lead roof was removed and melted to make cannons. The relic, once sheltered in a reliquary of great value, was vandalised. Revolutionaries had its jewels sold and the veil cut in several pieces before being sold as well.

In , a fire destroyed the old wooden roof structure which was replaced by copper plates. Like in Metz , they remain today one of the unique characteristics of the cathedral. Chartres Cathedral at the beginner of the 20th C. From , authorities decided to lay the stained glass windows as a precaution.

Fortunately the bombings did not affect the cathedral. In , nearly eight centuries after its reconstruction, Chartres Cathedral became one of the first Unesco World Heritage Site. Today, Notre-Dame de Chartres remains an important pilgrimage site. The event takes place during the Whitsun weekend every year and attracts more than 8 pilgrims from the whole world.

They come to admire a part of the veil on display in the ambulatory, in one of the apse chapels. Furthermore, this spiritual dimension of Chartres benefits from its position on the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. The town is a stopping place for pilgrims coming from the north, on the road from Paris to Tours.

This book has been for me a great resource that helped me better understand the Gothic movement in art from the 12th century to the Renaissance. An architectural style that first originated from France and spread all over Europe. Over pages it focuses on the development of Gothic architecture with many illustrations and photographs, but not only. And, of course, it mentions the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres!

This is definitely the book I recommend if — like me — you love everything about Gothic such as churches, gargoyles, stained glass, flying buttresses and so much more. Order it online! The following facts and figures shows why the cathedral Notre-Dame de Chartres ranks among the greatest churches of France. On Chartres Cathedral the Unesco website describes it perfectly:. Its silhouette, visible for more than 25 km around, constitutes a particularly clear marker in the landscape.

The two tall towers that frame it emphasises this sense of grandeur. It reflects the Byzantine influence driven by crusaders. The central portal or royal portal constitutes the main entrance of the cathedral. Set between the North Tower and South Tower, it displays a considerable group of sculptures. Behind the statues, the decor represents the last sparks of Romanesque style: interlaced designs, small columns, acanthus leaves.

The portal to the left is dedicated to the Ascension of Christ and announces the Return of Christ. The central portal features the Book of Revelation. Its tympanum represents Christ in his glory and his apostles. In the upper lintel , angels descend from a cloud.

The archivolts feature the signs of the zodiac and the labours of the months. The central portal focuses on the Last Judgement Book of Revelation. The centre of the tympanum presents Christ on his throne within a mandorla an almond-shaped halo. The symbols of the Four Evangelists surround him. The lintel depicts the Twelve Apostles while the archivolts portray the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse.

The right portal portrays the earthly incarnation of Christ. The lintel features scenes of the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Annunciation to the Shepherds, and the Presentation in the Temple. The tympanum portrays the Virgin and Child.

The archivolts are carved with allegories of the Seven Liberal Arts and famous classical authors and philosophers associated with them. From afar, you can easily recognise the silhouette of the Notre-Dame de Chartres cathedral thanks to its two unequal towers. Builders added the Flamboyant Gothic spire in the 16th century. It reaches metres at its highest point. The South Tower the Romanesque bell tower has a more typical Gothic base.

Since the French Revolution, the bell tower has not sheltered a bell. In the Middle Ages, its previously had six bells, including three great ones. The bell tower of the North Tower shelters the only bells that the cathedral contains. There are seven in total:. We recommend climbing to the bell tower in order to have a better view on the whole edifice.

After climbing steps and following the north roof, you will reach the lower gallery of the new bell tower, at a height of 70 metres. You will admire a stunning view on the old bell tower, buttresses, flying buttresses, statues and gargoyles.

There are about 4, sculpted figures in Chartres. Therefore, this is perfectly true in Chartres! The portals show exceptional details in all types of biblical stories. The south transept contains three portals under a deep porch.

It comprises:. The South Transept portals are consecrated to Christ and his Church. The portal to the left reveals the martyrs with Christ appearing to Saint Stephen and the Martyrdom of the Saint. The portal to the right refers to the legends of Saint Martin and Saint Nicolas. The north transept has the same layout as the south transept. The portals of the North Transept have the Virgin Mary as their main theme. This theme first appeared in Senlis Cathedral before inspiring the cathedrals of Chartres and Laon.

The left portal reveals the Incarnation with scenes showing the Adoration of the Magi and the Announcement of the Nativity to the Shepherds. The portal to the right refers to the announcement of a Saviour with scenes of Job and the Judgement of Solomon. The view of the chevet is spectacular with its numerous flying buttresses and the layout of minor apses, choir and transept arms. The chevet has double flying buttresses with three levels of ornamental blind arches.

The flying buttresses have to go over the chapels and require an intermediate buttress. The chevet is surrounded by two towers opened by twin bays and comprising a corner turret.

The balustrade which heads to the top links them to the choir. An elegant staircase connects the 14th century Saint Piat chapel to the cathedral, which were initially separated. Chartres Cathedral is metres long. The nave, The vaults of the central nave are 37 metres high in the nave. It is a three-storey elevation. Above the great archways, the triforium contains bays of four archways.

Despite the height of the vaults, which are higher than those of Notre-Dame de Paris , the nave does not appear too vast or too spacious but rather heavy and powerful. Research on brightness in cathedrals used to haunt architects at the time. It had led to effective solutions in Chartres Cathedral. By removing the lofts which often surmounted the side naves of previous basilicas, light directly illuminated the nave.

Therefore the windows, divided into two lights and crowned with a rose, were left opened.