This angel sundial is beautifully placed on the Southwest corner of the cathedral. It is semicircular, on a stone slab held by an angel, one of the tall and dignified Byzantine figures that adorn the outside of the Cathedral. It stands under a canopy, and the date on the dial is 1528. [Photo Credit: Wikipedia-Vassil] PLAN
E22. TOP WEST WALL LK
Rounding the corner we look up the West wall to the graceful, if dissimilar towers, the line-up of figures forming a joining balustrade, and the rose window.
E23. GALLERY OF KINGS
The line of figures is called the Gallery of Kings. Behind it is the gable of the nave, where we can see the Virgin with Child, then at the top, Christ giving his blessing. The 16 French Kings in the Gallery are relatively unidentifiable, and are included to evoke some idea of succession from the Old Testament kings. The Gallery dates from the early 13th century. Similar galleries can be found at other French cathedrals (Paris, Reims and Amiens). [Photo Credit: Wikimedia-zairon]
E24. WEST ROSE WINDOW
The West rose window was made in 1215, after the 1195 fire. Later we shall look at the three lancets below the rose window which date to the mid 12th century, making them the oldest stained-glass in the cathedral. [Photo Credit: Wikimedia-Guillaume Piolle]
E25. WEST PORTAL
The West portal(s) of the Cathedral date from 1145–70. They probably represent the oldest full-fledged example of Early Gothic sculpture. It is noteworthy that the figures on the lintels, archivolts (arches), and tympanums stand out as separate entities. The Chartres jamb figures, are essentially statues, each with its own axis, tall and slender, blending into their supporting columns. This triple portal displays 19 large statues, and more than 300 figures. [Photo Credit 1: Wikimedia-PsamatheM; Photo Credit 2 : MCAD Library]
E26. WEST PORTAL LEFT
The tympanum of the left door depicts Christ on a cloud, supported by two angels, above a row of figures representing the labours of the months and signs of the Zodiac. Notice the flatness of the figures on the door jambs. [Photo Credit 1: Steve Cadman; Photo Credit 2: Steve Cadman]
E27. WEST PORTAL CENTRE LK
The central portal focuses on the Last Judgement as described in the Book of Revelation. The centre of the tympanum presents Christ on his throne, inside a mandorla and surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists. The lintel depicts the Twelve Apostles with Enoch and Elijah at the ends, while the archivolts portray the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse. At right we see some details of the figures of the right door jamb – men and women of the Old Testament.
E28. WEST PORTAL RIGHT LK ••
The right portal portrays the earthly incarnation of Christ. The lintel features scenes of the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Annunciation to the Shepherds, and the Presentation in the Temple. The tympanum portrays the Virgin and Child. The archivolts are carved with allegories of the Seven Liberal Arts and famous classical authors and philosophers associated with them. At right we see Pythagoras working hard on his theorem! (Seen at right of lintel in main view.) [Photo2 Credit: Wikimedia-Jean-Louis Lascoux]
