Stained Glass

I have been attending the Art History class with the students and Kate is also taking the class.  Last week we went to the Cluny Museum which houses the medieval art in an old monastery built on the Roman Baths.

Cluny Courtyard

One of the favorite things we saw there were the original stained glass windows from  Ste. Chapelle.  It was interesting to see the stained glass panels up close rather than staring up at them in a church.

Orange Artichoke Tree and Camel

Sainte Chapelle stained glass is recognized by the trees that look like artichokes. There are also more reds and blues in the older glass from the 12th and 13th centuries. 

Angel Sounding Trump at Second Coming and Climbing out of Tombs at Resurrection

There were several stained glass pieces that dealt with the Samson cycle, including him fighting a lion and having his eyes poked out.

Samson and the Lion

Poking Out Samson's Eyes

Today in Art History we went to Sainte Chapelle.  It was the private chapel of St. Louis or Louis IX built in the 13th Century to house the relics of Christ, including the Crown of Thorns.  About 2/3 of the stained glass is original.  Below is the basement chapel where people in the King's court worshiped.

Statue of Saint Louis

The King worshiped upstairs in the chapel off of his royal apartments.  The chapel is small and surrounded by stained glass. It is breathtaking every time we see it.  The windows are so tall it is really difficult to see all the panels.

Sainte Chapelle Stained Glass Panel

Here is a close up picture of some of the stained glass and the woodwork below it. 

The chapel seemed as cold inside today as it was outside--everyone's toes and fingers were frozen.  Last week we bought tickets to go to a chamber music concert in Sainte Chapelle in March--I can't wait!

Sainte Chapelle