Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Many of the darker, more richly colored medieval glass windows were replaced by clear
glass in the 18th and 19th centuries (when tastes called for more light).
The
apse
(east end, behind the altar) holds a luminous set of
Marc Chagall stained-
glass windows
from 1974. Chagall's inimitable style lends itself to stained glass, and he
enjoyed opportunities to adorn great churches with his windows. The left window illus-
tratesscenesfromtheOldTestament,withtheTreeofJesse(withJessehimselfsleepingat
the bottom) reaching up to Mary with the Christ Child. In the central panels, the cohesion
of the Old and New Testament scenes is emphasized by the ladder that connects one to
the other. On the right, the Tree of Jesse—which is essentially a genealogical diagram of
Christ'slineage—isextendedtosymbolically includetheroyaltyofFrance,thusaffirming
the divine power of the monarchs and stressing their responsibility to rule with wisdom
and justice. Featured are Clovis (at the bottom, with his bishop), St. Louis XIII (seen at
the cathedral, and then dispensing justice), Charles VII (on the right in green), and Joan of
Arc, in blue, holding her sword (on the far right).
