Artwork

Chartres Cathedral: Right Door of the Royal Portal with Our Lady of Chartres

Chartres Cathedral: Right Door of the Royal Portal with Our Lady of Chartres is a photography by the Impressionist artist Charles Nègre. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1992.11
Credit line: Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund

About this work

Overview

Chartres Cathedral: Right Door of the Royal Portal with Our Lady of Chartres is a photograph by Charles Nègre, dated 1857, currently part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The image captures a intricately carved stone doorway from Chartres Cathedral.

Subject & Meaning

The doorway's carvings depict religious scenes. A central, upper arch features a seated figure (likely the Virgin Mary) holding a child, encircled by angels and other figures. Below, tiered rows of standing figures, some with books or objects, possibly illustrating biblical narratives or saintly processions.

Technique & Style

Nègre's photograph showcases the doorway's layered, narrative carvings, guiding the viewer's eye vertically. The image highlights the Gothic architectural details and the sculptural richness of the Royal Portal, characteristic of 13th-century French Gothic art.

History & Provenance

Created in 1857 by French photographer Charles Nègre, the work is now held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, USA.

Context

This photograph reflects the mid-19th-century interest in documenting European architectural heritage, particularly Gothic cathedrals like Chartres, which was undergoing restoration around this time.

Legacy

As an early example of architectural photography, Nègre's work contributed to the preservation and global dissemination of Chartres Cathedral's imagery, influencing later photographic and conservation practices.