The Cathedrals of Southern FranceMansfield, M. F. (Milburg Francisco)
History
The Cathedrals of Southern France
Mansfield, M. F. (Milburg Francisco)
Cathedrals -- France; France -- Description and travel
From the point of view of situation this cathedral is more attractively
placed than many another which is located in a city which perforce must
be ranked as a purely commercial and manufacturing town. From the Pont
Neuf, which crosses the Vienne, the view over the gardens of the
bishop's palace and the Quai de l'Evêché is indeed grand and imposing.
Chronologically the parts of this imposing church run nearly the gamut
of the Gothic note--from the choir of the thirteenth, the transepts of
the fourteenth and fifteenth, to the nave of the early sixteenth
centuries. This nave has only latterly been completed, and is preceded
by the elegant octagonal tower before mentioned. This _clocher_ is a
thirteenth-century work, and rises something over two hundred and four
feet above the pavement.
In the north transept is a grand rose window after the true French
mediæval excellence and magnitude, showing once again the northern
spirit under which the cathedral-builders of Limoges worked.
In reality the façade of this north transept might be called the true
front of the cathedral. The design of its portal is elaborate and
elegant. A series of carved figures in stone are set against the wall of
the choir just beyond the transept. They depict the martyrdom of St.
Etienne.
The interior will first of all be remarked for its abundant and
splendidly coloured glass. This glass is indeed of the quality which in
a later day has often been lacking. It dates from the fourteenth and
fifteenth centuries, except a part, readily discernible, which is of the
nineteenth.
The remains of a precious choir-screen are yet very beautiful. It has
been removed from its original position and its stones arranged in much
disorder. Still it is a manifestly satisfying example of the art of the
stone-carver of the Renaissance period. It dates from 1543. Bishop
Langeac (d. 1541), who caused it to be originally erected, is buried
close by, beneath a contemporary monument. Bishops Bernard Brun (d.
1349) and Raynaud de la Porte (d. 1325) have also Renaissance monuments
which will be remarked for their excess of ornament and elaboration.
In the crypt of the eleventh century, presumably the remains of the
Romanesque church whose portal is beneath the western tower, are some
remarkable wall paintings thought to be of a contemporary era. If so,
they must rank among the very earliest works of their class.
The chief treasures of the cathedral are a series of enamels which are
set into a reredos (the canon's altar in the sacristy). They are the
work of the master, Noel Loudin, in the seventeenth century.
In the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is a monumental fountain in bronze and
porcelain, further enriched after the manner of the mediæval enamel
workers.
The _collection de ceramique_ in the Musée is unique in France, or for
that matter in all the world.
The _ateliers de Limoges_ were first established in the thirteenth
century by the monks of the Abbey of Solignac.
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