Lecture on Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral

Introduction

• Location: Chartres, about an hour from Paris.
• Historical context: Major destination in the medieval period, within the orbit of Paris.
• Development of Gothic style in the Ile de France region.

Chartres as a Destination

• Importance due to the relic: The tunic of the Virgin Mary.
• Complex of buildings: School, bishop's palace, hospital.
• School of Chartres was significant for education during the Gothic period.

Architecture and Design

West Facade (Mid-12th Century)

• Early Gothic facade with Romanesque elements.
• Structure: Three parts, towers on left and right, central area.
• King’s Gallery: Old Testament figures at the top.
• Rose Window: Featuring plate tracery.
• Three Portals: Covered with sculptures, each with a different religious theme.

Gothic Portal Elements

• Archivolts: Sculpture within archways.
• Tympanum: Archway framed by archivolts.
• Lintel: Crossbeam supporting tympanum.
• Colonnettes and Jam Figures: Angled inward, inviting entry.

Tympanum Sculptures

• Left Tympanum: Christ before incarnation.
• Right Tympanum: Life of the Virgin Mary.
• Center Tympanum: Second coming of Christ.
• Hieratic Scale: Christ larger, surrounded by evangelists and apostles.

Interior Design

Basilica Plan

• Longitudinal design with a nave and transepts forming a cross shape.
• Aisles for pilgrims to move without disturbing mass.
• Relics: Tunic of Virgin Mary survived 1194 fire, leading to church reconstruction.

Elevation and Vaulting

• Three-part Elevation: Nave arcade, triforium, and clear story windows.
• Pointed Ribbed Groin Vaults: Allowing greater height and less buttressing.
• Flying Buttresses: Support allowing more stained glass windows.

Stained Glass

• Original glass survives, associated with deep blue color.
• Rose Window and Lancets: Featuring Virgin Mary, saints, and French monarchy symbols.

Evolution of Gothic Sculpture

West Jam Figures

• Old Testament figures, columnar and abstracted.
• Designed to appear transcendent, not earthly.

High Gothic Sculptures

• South Porch: Projected more, figures like Saint Theodore more lifelike.
• Movement and independence from architecture.

Conclusion

• Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral showcases the evolution of Gothic architecture.
• From early Gothic columnar figures to high Gothic naturalism in sculpture.