Cathedral of Saint Sauveur West Portal [plaster cast]
after unknown (French); Pouzadoux, Jean (Messrs)
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Alternative Title
Reproduction of Main Western Portal from St. Sauveur Cathedral
Date
1890-1892Description
Left door, detail showing a prophet and decorative elements; The original western portal for Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d'Aix), Aix-en-Provence, France, was begun in 1477, and the wooden doors were executed in 1504. (From Wikipedia: The doors of the cathedral were commissioned by the chapter in 1505, and were carved of walnut by the brothers Raymond and Jean Bolhit of Aix and by the Toulon sculptor Jean Guiramand. The doors feature four figures of the major prophets of the Old Testament (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Jeremiah). Above the prophets are the figures of twelve Sybils, pagan fortune-tellers from antiquity, honoured by medieval Christian scholars for having forecast the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. The figures are framed with garlands of pomegranates and acorns, bunchs of grapes, symbols of the Eucharist, a lion, a dragon and other fantastic animals). Source: V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) [website]; http://www.vam.ac.uk/ (accessed 5/10/2009)
Type of Work
replica; portal; sculpture (visual work)Subject
architectural exteriors, decorative arts, Old Testament and Apocrypha, Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint, prophets, Nineteenth century
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only