The Rose Window of Creation
Created in the 16th century by the Le Prince workshops, the south rose window of Beauvais Cathedral depicts the creation of the world and several major episodes from the Old Testament.
Reading the creation of the world, from the centre outward
The composition is built around God the creator, depicted at the centre. The petals and medallions of the successive rings then tell the story of the birth of the world, the appearance of nature and animals, and several major episodes from Genesis and Exodus.
The aesthetic and technical quality of this window makes it one of the cathedral’s major works.
God, creator of the world
The centre of the rose window depicts Christ Pantocrator, the source of the creation of the world.
His central position marks the starting point of the whole reading: the various scenes then unfold around him in concentric rings.
The creation of the living world
The first petals depict the elements of the world, vegetation, animals and the rhythm of nature.
Day, night, the sky and the stars
The upper petal depicts the creation of day and night, of the sky and the stars.
Nature, trees and fruit
This scene shows the trees created on the third day.
The sea and the fish
The fish belong to the creation of the fifth day.
The birds
The birds also appear on the fifth day.
The seasons
The cycle of the seasons recalls the order given to nature.
Land animals
The animals of the earth are created on the sixth day.
From the Fall of Adam and Eve to the Exodus
The two uppermost petals depict angels. The other scenes follow several episodes from the Old Testament.
First angel
One of the two petals placed at the top of the ring.
Second angel
The second angelic petal completes the upper section.
The temptation of Adam and Eve
The serpent holds an apple in its mouth while Eve offers the forbidden fruit to Adam.
Adam and Eve driven from paradise
An angel, sword in hand, drives Adam and Eve out of paradise.
After paradise
Adam and Eve have become aware of their nakedness and now wear clothing. Eve gives birth in pain.
Noah’s Ark
The Ark saves Noah’s family and a pair of every animal species from the Flood. The dove here carries reeds, a local adaptation of the olive branch.
The Tower of Babel
Men build a tower to reach the heavens. God confuses their language and scatters them.
The sacrifice of Abraham
Abraham is about to sacrifice his son when an angel intervenes and stops him.
The blessing of Jacob
The detailed description is not yet available.
Description coming soonJoseph in the well
The detailed description is not yet available.
Description coming soonThe burning bush
The detailed description is not yet available.
Description coming soonManna in the desert
The detailed description is not yet available.
Description coming soonThree keys to reading the rose window
From the centre outward
God the creator occupies the centre. The narrative then unfolds through the successive rings.
A biblical order
The scenes follow the major episodes of Genesis, then several moments in the history of the Hebrew people.
A work from Beauvais
The rose window bears witness to the exceptional craftsmanship of the Le Prince workshops, active in Beauvais in the 16th century.
Explore the cathedral’s stained-glass windows
The Rose Window of Creation belongs to the great ensemble of the south transept, alongside the prophets, the evangelists and the doctors of the Church.
