St. Denis Basilica - Table of Contents ....................... Architecture Around the World
The three portals, symbols of the Trinity, were decorated with untraditional sculptures. The tympanum of the central portal represents the "Last Judgment with Suger at the feet of Jesus Christ in glory." In the lintel the "Resurrection" was sculptured. On the curves of the arch are representations of "Paradise" and "Hell." The "Last Judgment" of Saint-Denis is closer to the Gothic style, based on Saint Matthew, than to the Romanesque dreams inspired by Saint John's revelation The rose window, which provides light for the upper chapel, constitutes one of the biggest innovations in the history of architecture. It was the first dated example of a favorite design of the Gothic style. It is situated on the West Front of the church.
Gothic sculpture makes its first appearance with the same dramatic suddenness as Gothic architecture and, it is likely, in the very same place -- the abbey church of St.-Denis. Almost nothing of the sculpture of the west façade of St.-Denis survived the French Revolution, but it was there that sculpture emerged completely from the interior of the church to dominate the western entrances, which were regarded as the "gateways" to heavenly Jerusalem" and the "Royal Portal," so named because of the statues of kings and queens on the embrasures flanking the doorways.
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In 1813 the architect Debret started working on the church |
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Romanesque arches |
Blind arcade that serves as niches |
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The three portals, symbols of the Trinity, were decorated with untraditional sculptures. |
The tympanum of the central portal represents the "Last Judgment with Suger at the feet of Jesus Christ in glory." |
Engaged columns with Romanesque ornamentation |
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The tympanum of the south portal represents Saint-Denis in Holy Communion |
Engaged columns with Romanesque ornamentation |
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Column: lozenge fret |
