CHARTRES Guiding Questions (YEP, it's a LOT!)

  • Gothic as a style developed in the Ile de France. What was the ILE DE FRANCE?

  • WHY was Chartres a big destination for pilgrims? What were they going to see?

  • What Gothic style is the WESTERN facade done in?

  • How is this WESTERN FACADE of Chartres different than later Gothic facades?

  • What is the large circular window called on the facade of Gothic cathedrals?

  • Draw a little diagram of the parts of a CHURCH PORTAL and label them as they label them. I might ask you to identify a part.

  • Beth and Steven discuss the three tympana of the Royal portals at Chartres. They discuss an older interpretation of the visuals and also a more recent, new interpretation. From left to right, what is the OLDER interpretation of the images?

  • From left to right, what is the NEWER interpretation of the images on the three tympana?

  • What is the THRONE OF WISDOM?

  • What is a MANDORLA?

  • Who is represented on the JAMB figures of the West Portals of Chartres?

  • At Chartres, what do they NORTH and SOUTH TRANSCEPTS also have?

  • Besides the tunic of the Virgin, later on its history Chartres acquired another precious relic. What was it?

  • What happened to CHARTRES in 1194?

  • What “message” did the take from the miraculous survival of their most holy relic?

  • So, is Chartres EARLY GOTHIC of HIGH GOTHIC??????

  • What type of VAULTING does Chartres use?

  • What does the use of this type of vaulting allow for MORE OF?

  • What was one of the PRIMARY GOALS of the Gothic architect?

  • What color is MOST COMMONLY found in the Chartres stained glass?

Restored, not restored? Which one gets your vote? (P.S. Some French people FREAKED out when they decided to clean Chartres a few years <or like a decade> ago … they felt that the soot / dirt on the walls was part of its history.) Interesting …

  • What is Mary depicted as in THE VIRGIN (OUR LADY) OF THE BEAUTIFUL WINDOW (seated with the Christ child on her lap)?

  • Describe visual characteristics of Mary. What is she wearing?

  • Who was the patron of the NORTH rose window?

Extra Fun Resource (not required):

David Macaulay's CATHEDRAL