The west-facing façade of the cathedral in Amiens is made up of three intricately carved portals.
This is a slideshow featuring close-up shots of some architectural details. I believethat these bas-relief carvings
date back to the time when the cathedral was built in the 13th century.
In the image below, you can see the intricacy of the carvings. The images in the slideshow are some of those that are surrounded by four-leaf clover shapes.
Another famous piece of art, le beau Dieu, a 13th century sculpture, stands between the two doors of the central portal of the cathedral.
ReplyDeleteDid you take a photo of it? I don't think I did. Can't find one.
DeleteI don't think I did either. Too bad.
DeleteInteresting you two - didn't know anything about le beau Dieu. Apparently it was a style of representation that began in the 13th century. Amazing what skill these architects and sculptors had 800+ years ago.
DeleteHere is the Amiens beau Dieu from the net:
http://projects.mcah.columbia.edu/amiens-arthum/detail/beau-dieu
Yes, amazing is the rjght word. You should check the statuary at Moissac. Very interesting too.
DeleteWonderful Moissac...the cloister is beautiful. Thanks chm!
DeleteJohn Ruskin (Victorian art critic) wrote a book about the western façade, which he called the "Bible of Amiens". Proust, helped by his mother, translated the work into French. See Wikipedia for more information!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that.
DeleteThanks for these! I'm enjoying every set :)
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying the photos, the processing of the photos, and the memories. I will continue.
DeletePlease do continue, Ken! I haven't been commenting, but I certainly have been enjoying seeing your photos and the texts along with them. Armchair tourist that I am at the present (!)
DeleteMary in Oregon