Gothic Sculpture.

 

Anunciation and Visitation. Reims Cathedral. 

 Crowning of the Virgin. Notre Dame.Paris.

*ARTISTIC REPRESENTATIONS IN THE MIDDLE AGES HAD A SPECIFIC ORDER AND WERE FULL OF SYMBOLS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED IN A PRECISE CODE.

*IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THEM, IT WAS NECESSARY TO SET THE RIGHT HIERARCHY ACCORDING TO THEIR IMPORTANCE AND TO KNOW THE FIGURES AND OTHER SYMBOLS.

1. Identification of the importance of the scenes and the characters.

-According to their vertical position (from top to bottom).

-According to their horizontal  position (left, centre, right).

*There are three scenes. The upper one is the most important as is represents paradise. The central one is less important because it takes places on Earth, however it is more relevant than the lower one because Christ and the apostles can be seen.

*In the second scene, the most important figure is in the centre because it is Christ, whereas those at the sides are the apostles.

2. Identification of the characters.

*In the upper scene we can see God (with the halo and the cross inside).

*On the right, the Virgin is sitting down. In the centre we can see Christ surrounded by the apostles (barefoot and with a halo without the cross inside).

*In the lower areas there are three kings (wearing crowns)

3. Identification of other symbols.

*The central scene takes place on Earth, as there is a tree.

4. Meaning of the scenes.

*The lower one represents three kings (physical ancestors of Christ) and three prophets (spiritual ancestors).

*The central scene shows the death of the Virgin, witnessed by the apostles and Christ, who descended from heaven to receive her soul.

*In the upper area, Christ has placed the Virgin to his right and is giving her his sceptre, while the angel is crowning her. This represents his intention of sharing with her the kingdom of heaven.

 Gothic sculpture from the north transept of Chartres Cathedral, portraying Old Testament figures. Left to right: Melchizedeck, the Old Testament priest; Abraham with his son Issac; and Moses holding the tablets of the old law.

 

Virgin and  Child. Notre Dame. Paris.