Chartres Stained Glass #14: Blue Virgin
| Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass: Table of Contents | ||||
| Introduction and Plan Photo Gallery West Rose Window 1. Jesse Window |
2. Life of Christ Window 3. Passion Window 4. St. John Window 14. Blue Virgin Window |
17. Zodiac Window 25. Becket Window 64. Noah Window |
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The Blue Virgin Window (c.1150).
One of the most celebrated in Chartres Cathedral, the beautiful Blue Virgin Window is a rare Romanesque survivor from about 1150. Known in French as Notre Dame de la Belle Verrière, "Our Lady of the Beautiful Window," it is now part of an otherwise 13th-century window at the start of the south ambulatory aisle. The face of the Virgin is unfortunately a modern replacement, but the rest is original and the whole is quite beautiful.
The Virgin sits crowned and enthroned, robed in blue against a ruby background. Angels support her throne and surround it on both sides, swinging censers and holding candlesticks. A dove descends onto her head from above, its beak connected with her halo by three blue rays. The 13th-century panels at the bottom of the window depict the Temptation of Christ (three panels) and the Wedding at Cana (six panels).
Small Angel |
Descending Dove |
Small Angel |
Censing Angel |
The Blue Virgin |
Censing Angel |
Angel with Candlestick |
Angel with Candlestick |
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Censing Angel |
Censing Angel |
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Censing Angel |
Angels Supporting Throne |
Censing Angel |
Mary Speaks to Servants (John 2:5) |
Water into Wine (John 2:6-7) |
Servant Brings Wine to Master (John 2:8-9) |
Jesus Going to the Wedding Feast at Cana |
Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1-2) |
Mary Speaks to Jesus (John 2:3-4) |
Temptation in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-4) |
Temptation on the Temple (Matthew 4:5-7) |
Temptation on the Mountain (Matthew 4:8-11) |
