THE SAINTE CHAPELLE - Essay Example

PARIS, THE SAINTE CHAPELLE Gothic architecture was widely accepted in Europe during the high and late medieval period and continued mostly for ecclesiastical and university structures into the 20th century. This type of architecture style was particularly associated with cathedrals and other churches, BACKGROUND The Emperor of Constantinople in exchange for military aid defending the Byzantine Empire against Muslim invaders gave Louis IX the relic of Christ's Crown of Thorns. The Papal letter of authorization stated to Louis IX "Christ has crowned you with his crown of thorns." VISUAL ANALYSIS STYLE Sainte Chapelle, built by Louis IX during the 13th century on the le de la Cit in the center of Paris was a famous example of late gothic architecture. Late Gothic in France, 1240-1550, called Rayonnant and Flamboyant. Rayonnant from rayonner, to radiate or shine, used to describe window traceries. One of the greatest architects in that time, Pierre de Montereau, was its designer. The most visually attractive aspects of the chapel, and considered the finest of their type in the world, are its stained glass (were the Passion was clearly manifested). The stonework is a delicate framework, and rose windows added to the upper chapel in the 15th century. Durham Cathedral was generally considered one of the finest works of 'Norman' cathedral in Europe. Pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses (hidden above the aisle vaults) are visually evident in this cathedral. Notre Dame de Paris, built under High gothic period, a period wherein second-story gallery was omitted, but triforium or a three-story elevation was retained and reestablished. The catchiest feature of Notre Dame Cathedral was its Rose Window, built by Jean de Chelles, and was designed in the Rayonnant style. The Virgin and Child were depicted in the center circle, surrounded by figures of prophets. The second circle shows 32 Old Testament kings, and 32 high priests and patriarchs were depicted in the outer circle. Santa Maria de Fiore was a product of Neo-gothic architectural style. STRUCTURE Sainte Chapelle's structure was 36 m (118 ft) long, 17 m (56 ft) wide, and 42.5 m (139 ft) high. Fronted by a two-story porch, the Sainte-Chapelle had definite vertical proportions of Gothic architecture, which had been perfected during the 12th century. The architectural representation was that of a building with a single nave, culminated in a chevet with seven panels. Outside, the design was concentrated on the essentials - a sober base and heavy buttresses contrasting with the soaring lightness of the upper parts. The spire made of cedar, 33 meters (108 ft) high, a masterpiece of finesse, made in the 19th century, but an exact replica of the 15th century spire dominated the slate roof. The upper chapel was magnificent in its Gothic architecture - light, color, and space blend to inspire a sense of harmony between art and religious faith. Architects, sculptors and painters obviously took the greatest care with the interior of the upper chapel, as this was the part of the building reserved for the king, his close friends and family, as well as for displaying the religious relics. Supported by slender piers, the arched ceiling seemed to float above magnificent stained glass windows. Most significant of the sculpted decorations in the upper chapel were the statues of the twelve apostles, which lean on the columns marking the bays. With their flowing dress, finely featured faces and hair in flattened curls, they impart a sense of serenity in all who contemplate them. The lower chapel was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whose statue stands freely next to the central pier of the portal. Low arched ceilings rest on fine columns with decorative carved leaf capitals, connected by anchor braces made of wood or stone. The walls were decorated with trefoiled arcades and twelve medallions representing the Apostles. DESIGN INTENTION The progressive enlargement of the windows was not intended to shed more light into the interiors, but rather to provide an ever-increasing area for the stained glass. COMPOSITION Sainte Chapelle's interiors with its full complement of stained glass were as dark as those of Romanesque churches. Brilliant ruby red and dark saturated blue were the dominant colors. Violet, brown, and white with a green or blue cast were secondary, and pinkish shades served as flesh tones. Episodes from the Bible were illustrated in the small stained glass medallions and from the lives of the saints were reserved for the windows of the chapels and the side aisles. Huge windows, rising from near the pavement to the arches of the vaults, occupied the entire area between the vaulting shafts, thus the whole chapel was transformed into a strong stone framework for the radiant stained-glass windows. CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS Sainte Chapelle was constructed on the le de la Cit, an island in the heart of Paris, between 1239 and 1243. le de la Cit was the place of the city's earliest settlements and was home to the kings of France from the 5th century to the 14th century. The chapel was consecrated on 26 April 1248. It was built in the excellent and most sophisticated manner, with metal clamps to strengthen the delicate masonry and sculptural, ceramic, and painted decoration to enrich it. It was intended to house Catholic religious relics that Louis IX acquired from Latin emperor at Constantinople, Baldwin II, in 1239. In addition, the most important of his possession was the relics of Christ's Passion, believed to be the Crown of Thorns. Further relics were brought from Byzantium after two years. And according to research, it housed a piece of the true Cross where Jesus have been crucified and brought to death. They were exhibited to the faithful each year on Good Friday. Sainte Chapelle was known to be the best Gothic church of small dimensions. The ground floor contains three aisles, with openwork interior buttresses to take up the thrust of the wide central span. The main story, which is 20 m (about 66 ft) high, is entered from the principal level of the palace and has a small alcove that was reserved for the royal family. The main nave is famous for a complete set of stained-glass windows, largely from the 13th century. The exterior porch at the west, the rose window and pinnacles, and the flche, or tower, has been rebuilt in modern times (Encarta, 2006). The Royal chapel stands squarely upon a lower chapel, which served as parish church for all the inhabitants of the palace. HISTORICAL CIRCUMSTANCES The chapel was converted to an administrative office during the French Revolution. Enormous filing cabinets obscured the windows. Vandalism diminished the magnificence of the architectural work. Choir stalls and the rood screen were damaged, the spire pulled down and the relics dispersed. West rose window was replaced by Flamboyant window in 1485. Over the centuries, the Sainte Chapelle suffered the unexpected changes of time. Fire damaged the chapel in 1630 and again in 1776. The stained glass windows in the Lower Chapel were removed due to a flood when the Seine burst its banks in 1690. In 1837, Viollet-le-Duc restored the Sainte-Chapelle, but retained the original impression of a huge glass reliquary. The architects Flix Duban, Jean Baptiste Lassus and Emile Boeswillwald undertook significant restoration work, and by 1868 the Sainte-Chapelle was returned to its previous splendor. SYMBOLISM The chapel was perceived as a symbol of both religion and royalty. OTHER AESTHETIC ISSUES The glazed, painted, and sculpted decoration of the chapel is then considered, with emphasis given to the broad links between the Old Testament, Passion, and Relic cycles, and the particular visual links between Old Testament kings and their Capetian successors (Weiss, 1998). Sainte-Chapelle seen from Palais de Justice gate Upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle Lower chapel of Sainte-Chapelle REFERENCE Sainte-Chapelle (2006). Microsoft Encarta 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005. Hinkle, William M. Gothic Art and Architecture (2006). Microsoft Encarta 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005. Stained Glass. Microsoft Encarta 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005. Vallois, Thirza. Microsoft Encarta 2006 [DVD]. Paris (city, France). Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005. WIKIPEDIA The Free Encyclopedia. Sainte-Chapelle. Retrieved July 13, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Chapelle Cosy Logis (2004). Illustrated Architectural History. Retrieved from http://www.cosylogis.com/en/paris-france/paris-historical-monuments-france/sainte_chapelle.htm Weiss, Daniel H. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1998). Art and Crusade in the Age of Saint Louis. Retrieved from http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/paper/lowdenJohn.html Read More