The stained-glass windows of Saint-Pierre Cathedral, Beauvais
From the 13th to the 20th century, the cathedral’s stained-glass windows depict great biblical figures and the life of Christ and the Virgin, while transforming light into a true architectural material.
From ancient windows to modern creations
The cathedral’s stained-glass windows were created over a very long period. The oldest date back to the 13th century, while others belong to the 14th, 16th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Each ensemble has its own history. Some windows have remained in their original location, while others have been moved, restored, or completed over the centuries.
The windows of the south transept
Produced by the Le Prince workshops, the ensemble reads across three superimposed levels.
The Rose of Creation
In the upper section, the rose window gathers scenes from Genesis and other episodes of the Old Testament.
The ten prophets
At the middle level, ten great biblical figures proclaim and accompany the Christian message.
The saints and doctors
In the lower section, the evangelists, doctors of the Church, Saint Peter and Saint Paul complete the composition.
The Rose of Creation
Created in the 16th century, the south rose depicts the creation of the world according to the Bible. God the Creator occupies the centre, surrounded by several narrative rings.
Among the scenes are the creation of the stars, of nature and the animals, Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, the Tower of Babel, and the sacrifice of Abraham.
The ten prophets
The series depicts ten major figures from the Old Testament. Each is identifiable by its attributes, its clothing, and the composition surrounding it.
Their presence establishes a link between the prophetic texts and the Christian scenes depicted in the lower part of the transept.
The evangelists, doctors and apostles
The gallery brings together the four evangelists and the four doctors of the Latin Church, flanked by Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
These figures structure the lower part of the ensemble and extend the theological reading begun by the prophets and the rose window.
The Lady Chapel
The windows of the chapel date mainly from the 13th century, with the exception of the two side rose windows.
They illustrate several episodes from the life of the Virgin and of Christ. The richness of the colours and figures reflects the art of stained glass at the time the choir was built.
The Crucifixion rose window
The rose window recalls Christ’s final moments on the cross, in the presence of the Virgin and the beloved disciple.
The scene draws on the episode recounted in the Gospel of Saint John, when Jesus entrusts his mother to his disciple before giving up his spirit.
The Saint-Vincent Chapel
The windows of this chapel date from the late 13th century and the 14th century.
They combine large narrative scenes, figures of saints, and decorative rose windows in a coherent ensemble made up of several building campaigns.
The rose window of the Coronation of the Virgin
Dated to the 14th century, this rose window was formerly located in the Sainte-Anne Chapel, once dedicated to Saint John.
The central scene of the Coronation is surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists and a ring of musician angels.
Explore Saint-Pierre Cathedral
The stained-glass windows converse with the choir’s architecture, the vaults, the sculptures, the clocks, and the cathedral’s great organ.
