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Portail Royal
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Four figures, possibly of the royal family of Judah, stone, 1145–50; Portail Royal of Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France. Height approximately 2.50 m.
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Portail Royal

portal, Chartres Cathedral, France
Also known as: Royal Portal
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Four figures, possibly of the royal family of Judah, stone, 1145–50; Portail Royal of Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France. Height approximately 2.50 m.
Four figures, possibly of the royal family of Judah, stone, 1145–50; Portail Royal of Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France. Height approximately 2.50 m.

The Portail Royal is a significant part of Chartres Cathedral in France, representing an early example of Gothic architecture. It is a remnant of a Romanesque church that was mostly destroyed by fire in 1194, with the present cathedral constructed on its foundations. The sculptures on the Royal Portal, dating to the mid-12th century, showcase the Gothic era's increasing interest in naturalism, with figures of kings and queens that, while elongated and attached to columns, possess benevolent expressions distinct from earlier Romanesque styles. This portal, along with the cathedral's crypt, are the oldest parts of the structure. Chartres Cathedral is renowned for its architectural innovations, sculptures, and stained glass, and it remains a pilgrimage site.12

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. Chartres Cathedral
  2. Western sculpture - Early Gothic
  3. Rayonnant style
  4. Gothic art

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