Chartres Cathedral, North Side and North Transept Central Portal

1205-1240



North Wall buttresses (after 1194)

In each bay of the clerestory (45'H) there are two lancets and a rose window.
 

Central portal tympanum with the Dormition, Assumption, and Coronation of the Virgin

See also this theme at Notre Dame, Central Portal at Senlis, at Strasbourg, South Transept and at Notre Dame in Paris.
 



According to the Golden Legend, the Virgin died at age 60, surrounded by the Apostles who had been miraculously transported to her deathbed from all parts of the world. Christ too, depicted with a halo, is in the center, prepared to take her soul to Heaven.

The Dormition of the Virgin and the Assumption of the Virgin

 



Jambs statues from the left side of the central portal: (left to right) Melchizedek, Abraham with Isaac, Moses, Samuel, and David; the dramatic Abraham, with head turned hearing God's message

 

Jambs statues from the right side of the central portal: (left to right) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Simeon with Jesus, St. John the Baptist, and St. Peter (the last not pictured)




See also North Transept side portal tympana.

From the South Transept, see also South Transept and Central Portal and jamb statues and side tympanum.

From the west facade, see also the central portal, the north portal, the south portal, the frieze of capitals, and the jambs.


Click here to return to index of art historical sites.

Click here to return to index of artists and architects.

Click here to return to chronological index.


Copyright © Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.

Page created by Mary Ann Sullivan