DAVID ADAMS looks at some stunning stained glass windows in Paris…
Containing some some of the greatest examples of medieval stained glass in the world, the 15 windows in Paris’ Sainte-Chappelle are truly a dazzling site.
The 15 metre high windows depict some 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments as well as (at the time of their creation) more contemporary events – which fill the chapel’s nave and apse – and date from the mid-13th century. They’re complemented by a rose window in the west wall of the chapel.
PICTURE: GruntXIII (licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0)
The chapel was built in the first half of the 13th century on the orders of King Louis IX (now St Louis) to house his collection of relics related to the passion of Christ. It was consecrated on 26th April, 1248, and is now one of the earliest surviving buildings of the Capetian royal palace which once stood on the island in the Seine known as the Ile de la Cité.
The chapel which was designed in the Gothic architectural style known as ‘Rayonnant’, conveying a sense of lightness and verticality. Inside, the stonework has been minimised to allow for the soaring windows which dominate the interior.
Scenes contained in the windows include those depicting the birth, death and resurrection of Christ as well as scenes from the lives of apostles such as John and depictions of Old Testament events as Joseph being sold by his brothers, the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt, David with King Saul, and Daniel and the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. There are also images showing the discovery of the relics of Christ and their subsequent relocation to Paris where they are received by King Louis.
Although the windows have been damaged (and much of the rest of the chapel has had to be recreated), it’s estimated that some two-thirds of the windows are authentic.
The stained glass windows can be seen on visits to the chapel and since 2017 there’s app which provides explanations of each window as visitors point their camera at them. For a moveable image of the chapel, head here.
The chapel is part of the World Heritage Listed area which runs along the banks of the Seine in central Paris.
