Rouen, Its History and Monuments: A Guide to StrangersLicquet, Théodore
History
Rouen, Its History and Monuments: A Guide to Strangers
Licquet, Théodore
Rouen (France) -- Guidebooks
The length of the Cathedral, in the inside, from the great portal to the
extremity of the chapel of the Virgin, is four hundred and eight feet
(about four hundred and fifty english); the chapel of the virgin is
eighty eight feet in length; the choir is one hundred and ten, and the
nave two hundred and ten. The entire breadth of the edifice from one
wall to the other is ninety seven feet two inches; namely, the nave
twenty seven feet; thickness of each pillar, seven feet eight inches,
each aisle fourteen feet, the chapels thirteen feet five inches. The
height of the nave is eighty four feet; that of the aisles is forty two
feet, the transept is one hundred and sixty four feet in length, by
twenty six in breadth. In the centre is a lantern, at the height of one
hundred and sixty feet under the key-stone, and it is supported by four
large pillars, each being thirty eight feet in circumference, and
composed of thirty one columns, which are grouped together; above the
arcades of the nave, there is a very narrow gallery. The edifice is
lighted by one hundred and thirty windows.
There are amongst the stained glass windows, several which deserve to
be, particularly noticed. I will here point out their places, after the
work of E.H. Langlois, on stained glass, and that of Gilbert on the
Cathedral[4].
«Left aisle, in going up, opposite the fourth arcade of the nave: upper
panes occupied by several subjects taken from the life of saint John the
baptist, saint Nicolas, etc. We may remark curriers or tanners, and,
near a sort of gallery supported by columns, a stone cutter and a
sculptor making the capital of a column. A little farther up, we
perceive a church supported by arches, in the construction of which,
several masons are busily employed. Near it, is a woman kneeling, and
holding up with both her hands the plan of a gothic window.
Same aisle, in going up, and opposite the fourth arcade of the nave: a
window occupied with subjects relative to the life of saint Sever.
Left aisle of the choir, opposite the fourth arcade: a window entirely
occupied with the life of saint Julian-the-hospitaller.
Same aisle, between the semi-circular lateral chapel and the chapel of
the Virgin: two windows, representing the life of Joseph, the son of
Jacob. We may still read, although with difficulty, the name of the
painter and glazier. It is inscribed on a phylactery, in the following
manner:
CLEMENS VITREARIUS CARNOTENSIS M ...
On the other side of the choir, between the chapel of the Virgin and the
semi-circular lateral chapel: two windows, one representing the Passion;
the other the life of a saint. He is almost entirely represented naked
from the head to the waist, and on horseback. Semi-circular chapel of
the southern transept in the corner of the window, the martyrdom of
saint Laurent.»
All these windows date from the end of the XIIIth century. The most
curious is that representing the life of saint Julian-the-hospitaller.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account