The stained glass windows of Beauvais Cathedral are jewels of French Gothic art, bearing witness to the cultural richness of the Picardy region. Each window, from the smallest to the largest, tells a unique story through vibrant colors, sublime patterns, and intricate techniques.
The stained glass windows of Beauvais Cathedral were created over a period of more than seven centuries, from the Romanesque era to the 19th century. The oldest stained glass windows date back to the 13th century and are located in the choir of the cathedral, while the most recent ones are from the 20th century and were created by renowned artists of the time.
The stained glass windows of the south transept
The exceptional stained glass windows of the south transept date from the 16th century and were created by the renowned Le Prince workshops. The composition is divided into three distinct parts: at the top, the famous ‘Rose of Creation,’ in the middle, a series of ten prophets, and at the bottom, the four evangelists and the four Doctors of the Latin Church, surrounded by Saint-Pierre and Saint Paul.
The Rose of Creation
These stained glass windows are a remarkable example of French Gothic art, both in terms of aesthetics and technique. The colors are vibrant and luminous, creating a subtle and striking play of light within the cathedral. The patterns are intricate and meticulous, bearing witness to the expertise of the artists and craftsmen of the time.
The prophets
The series of ten prophets depicts important biblical figures, each of them recognizable by the attributes they carry. The four evangelists and the four Doctors of the Latin Church, on the other hand, are surrounded by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, two of the most significant figures in the Catholic Church.
The Saints
The stained glass windows of the Virgin’s chapel
The stained glass windows date from the 13th century, with the exception of the two lateral roses.
«When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ There was a jar full of vinegar there. They filled a sponge with vinegar, put it on a hyssop stick, and lifted it to his lips. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished.’ He bowed his head and gave up his spirit. » (Jean 19, 26-30)
The stained glass windows of the St. Vincent Chapel
The stained glass windows date from the late 13th century and the 14th century.
The stained glass window of the Coronation of the Virgin, dating from the 14th century, was previously in the Saint Anne Chapel, which was once dedicated to Saint John. The central scene is surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists and a crown of musical angels.