Amiens Cathedral

Robert de Luzarches, Thomas de Cormont and Renaud de Cormont, Amiens Cathedral, Amiens, France, begun 1220. Speakers: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Please note: at 3:36 we say that Mary was visited by Elizabeth. The Gospel of Luke 1:39-45 states that Mary visited Elizabeth.

[@suzannemckenzie2873]

Your videos on Catholic cathedrals are very well done. I appreciate that you use correct religious terms and actually state the theology behind the art and architecture. As a devout Catholic I am so pleased to see these programs treat our Church in a respectful and truthful manner. Thank you and God bless you and your work.

[@nathanielscreativecollecti6392]

I love the respectful way that you treat religious subjects. Thank you for treating all things with the reverence they deserve.

[@Sunicarus]

The last minute of the video about the geometry of the Cathedral shows just how brilliant the architects were. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

[@KidChardonnay]

Definitely the most beautiful place on earth!

[@davidbasset7557]

currently binging all your cathedral videos. these buildings are breathtaking

[@davidbasset7557]

@Dave OfGod a retired construction worker rebuilt the Stonehenge in his backyard with no electric tools just leverage so I would say these things are possible

[@MH-ms1dg]

check out Stained Glass Attitude's videos too! (unsponsored recommendation)

[@siiluviilu]

@@davidbasset7557 can i have his name? That's so sick

[@ajmittendorf]

Please!! More on these Gothic Cathedrals in France!! Pretty please!!

[@yuhboii7862]

Im surprised that church didn't get obliterated in ww1 during the battle of amians between the french and germans

[@bwanaminoplis2536]

Why France ? try Leon cathedral in Spain. It´s just the next step to radiant Gothic. It´s very possible that Amiens architec travelled to Leon and designed a even more perfect cathedral.. Sorry my poor english

[@jean-luchochart6960]

Nous avons en France beaucoup plus de cathédrales que dans les autre pays européens.

[@jean-luchochart6960]

Strasbourg,Chartres,Paris,Bourges,Reims,Beauvais,Clermont-Ferrand,Sens,Lyon,Orléans,Bayeux,Rouen,Saint-Omer,Noyon,Soissons etc!!!

[@ajmittendorf]

@@jean-luchochart6960 Je ne parle pas français.

[@123456789abcdefg432]

I can't believe that entire doorway was originally meant to be painted...that would be spectacular to see it as originally intended!

[@beckymorris6047]

At night Amien does a light show that shows how the cathedral was painted. It is unbelievable. There are videos out there of the illumination.

[@bobbyforce1957]

Their voices are so calming

[@magicknight13]

Oh I just can't get enough of these!! So astonishingly wonderful!

[@originaltommy]

Absolutely mind boggling!!!! Stunning!

[@brianholihan5497]

I was at the top of the entrance's north tower in 2010 and saw a man overlooking the church, who looked so deeply content that I had to talk to him. He turned out to be the director of the cathedral's restoration. He told me that he visited it from Paris more than ten years before, and "the cathedral entered me." He never left. Thanks for showing many of its details.

[@irinapanovf9632]

You've made such a good job combining beauty and information. Congratulations and many thanks.

[@ZenGrand-mere]

Stupendous presentation! I joined the others in pleading for more of your excellent work thank you so much.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you for your very generous note.

[@SuzanaMantovaniCerqueira]

These cathedrals are an amazing speechless masterpiece! People were very inspiring to create these true temples, because until today, inside, we feel protected.

[@angelmoreno1975]

Hi Smarthistory. I'm from Spain and in a few days I will be taking exams prior to university here in Spain. One of the subjects, of course, is Art, and I couldn't be more thankful for entering and watching all your videos guys. You do some great job in analysing and reviving any piece of art, whether that may be good or bad. As a result, I think the best way to compensate for all your great job is to translate some videos into Spanish. I would gladly invest my time and effort in doing so! Thank you guys so much.

[@almeggs3247]

Awesomely and eternally beautiful! Thankful!

[@pierre-emmanuelansart3777]

Great video. Thank you so much. I'm from Amiens and I love my cathedral so much !

[@michaeljerome554]

As a Pickard from America that has traced his genealogy back to the 1300s in Picardy, I feel so blessed by this video, to see the Cathedral that my ancestors would have visited. Thank you thank you thank you

[@sabrinanascimento1267]

So beautiful. I heard of this cathedral .wow.

[@alfredoechevarrieta7512]

Gracias por este análisis y lectura de obra Monumental en nuestra historia humana.

[@almeggs3247]

I’ve begged I’ve prayed for you both to do the same for La Sagrada Familia! Please please please You both are the only ones left to bring out the truth the love the beauty of our past that was embedded into the walls of these cathedrals All we have now are just pics of people in awe looking at their own ignorance of history and all the symbolism!

[@stsk7]

What an amazing breakdown. I wish to learn to observe art like you giys

[@Subhadebu]

this was beautiful to see

[@gearrazkarraysgyfarnogod8554]

Sorry I missed this cathedral, passing through Amiens many times in my youth.

[@pobodin4536]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much

[@yvonnetomenga5726]

👍This is a truly outstanding video. Although I've heard references to different architectural details, such as the clerestory, I've never been quite sure what they were. Highlighting the various architectural components was very helpful. As others have said, I also appreciate how you related the architecture to the underlying religious beliefs. Congratulations on producing a wonderful video.

[@jingjingli1443]

It is not until now that I realize you guys personally visited all these places. If that’s the case I envy you guys. that would be my dream come true. I’ve been watching your videos and they are really really great and informative. Thank you very much and I hope to see more videos from you.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We feel it is important to discuss the work as we experience directly and so we really are on site, standing before the works of art, in almost all cases. The exceptions are when a work of art has been destroyed or is in a war zone, or simply not accessible. In those cases we try to work with an expert who has visited the work.

[@miketackabery7521]

​@@smarthistory-art-historywow. That's really wonderful. Makes me feel privileged to be able to watch these videos. Thank you so much!

[@almeggs3247]

You guys are awesome God Bless you both!

[@patrickali8197]

More brilliant, good work done.bravo!!

[@yomnabuilds]

these are so helpful and informative thank you!

[@BorselinoThadchack]

just wonderful. I love you guys!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you, we appreciate you reaching out.

[@FDavid-pw3ho]

Why does someone dislike anything from this amazing channel?

[@almeggs3247]

You have done something so beautiful that I believe you will be blessed !

[@andreicurta9965]

An amazing presentation right there! 🥰🥰

[@kimfleury]

Quite lovely . I appreciate the art and architecture information, and also the respect and reverence toward the subject.

[@rolloalquiros2812]

Excellent teachers with very good diction!

[@Confucius_76]

very nice voices

[@roymoya4026]

Great video. Love the detailed presentation. So many elements of the iconography bring back all the rich myths of ancient egiptian religion.

[@Lambonius]

These are wonderful as always. Please give some Romanesque churches the same treatment! :)

[@LokeybeatsInstrumentals]

Beautiful!

[@fintan3563]

Beautiful narration!

[@1000HolyPlaces]

Absolutely magnificent.

[@ToledoWingNut]

Wonderful presentation! Wish I had watched this, and your others, before I visited the great French cathedrals a few months ago. Nevertheless, it’s great to re-live the experiences through your enlightening work. Thanks!

[@lasourisverte1802]

Cathedrale Of Amiens is the best Cathedrale in France and in Europe

[@georgealderson4424]

How would you feel if it were to be coloured as it was originally? It must have been stunning.

[@SonicPhonic]

Great analysis, graphics and visuals!

[@beckymorris6047]

This is the first time that I have experienced your videos. I am hooked. Spent a week in Amien and every day visited the Cathedral. Did you know that there are five Notre Dame Cathedrals and Amiens is the largest? Thanks for the history and detail in your presentation. It is so much better than seeing pictures and hearing "It is pretty." I want historical details and facts!

[@유신이-o2q]

thank you for your amazing video! It gave me a lot of help for studying art history!

[@WhimsicalPictures]

Loving these! Would love a video on Sainte Chapelle!

[@auaggoldbug4151]

Wow, blows my mind

[@arthurmartins5495]

Thanks for this!

[@alexandrecosta2708]

Magistral. Só analisando cada detalhe se pode entender o significado profundo de cada detalhe. Muito bom. Venham as catedris de Milºao e de Praga pf,.

[@urbaneplanner]

Wow - very nicely done

[@dasteelerfan1]

Thanks that was awesome

[@saltydog584]

Thank you very interesting. Re the bit at the end about dimensions 50 cubits is not the same as 50 foot, it's more like 75 foot.

[@Fuliginosus]

I love the way the speakers sound hushed, as if they were commentating on a golf tournament.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Ha! We record on location. We try to be respectful of those in the church. We hope this gives our viewers a sense of what is it like to be there.

[@Fuliginosus]

@@smarthistory-art-history Yes, it does give that sense.

[@Haazheelt]

Great video

[@charlesdavis7087]

Beautiful job. Thank you (s). Why don't they repaint these statues?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

It's a good question. One reason is that if you repainted you would lose the original paint that survives. And then there is the fact that we don't know precisely when the original paint would have looked like or what the original colors were. There would be significant guesswork. And then finally, there is the philosophical concern known as the ship of Theseus.

[@Thetruthmademan]

very well done!

[@WillyIlluminatoz]

Watch it again in Christmas 2020 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎉🎉🎉🌹

[@Nicolas-zb9uw]

Did someone ever saw the document: Amiens , la cathédrale en couleurs ( Amiens , a colored cathedral.) The original colors were projected , once , on the stones , to give the cathedral its original look.

[@carmenfernandez5396]

In the Dormition Mary is sleeping and the 12 apostles put her gently down. In the Ascension, she is elevated, lift, by angels. If when looking at a sculpture group you don´t know if it´s a dormition or the ascesión, you need to locate the angels, they would lift her to the heavens (ascension means to elevate) because they can fly. But if you do not see winged--men, then, most likely it's the dormition.

[@camaramarcelo]

beautiful

[@almeggs3247]

Finally. You have no idea how important your video will become!

[@deer563]

Smarthistory can you guys make more videos about cathedral architecture

[@smarthistory-art-history]

see our videos on Reims, Chartres, Paris, St. Denis, Durham, St. Pauls, Lincoln, Wells, Henry VII, Gloucester, St. Peter's and so many more. But yes, we will make even more...

[@gearrazkarraysgyfarnogod8554]

There are several Gothic Cathedrals in Spain, as well.

[@jessiemlcdm4936]

More videos about architecture pls.

[@oliviagabriel1871]

Look like a giant artery. Of breathe of air and sunshine. It truly. Is beautiful. And aware.

[@SKF358]

Our era has the Freedom Tower.

[@russellhogben6628]

Excellent exposition. I first saw the outside of Amien cathedral when I was 17 but have never been inside. I wonder what happened to all the medieval glass in the clerestory. Was it a casualty of the revolution or maybe World War One?

[@MASCA-REIGNASSE]

Bonjour. Ils ont été, en partie, détruits par un incendie, dans la cave sensé les protéger, pendant la seconde guerre mondiale…c’est triste.

[@peterturingan6328]

not to nitpick on such an excellent video (and excellent channel) but wasn't it Mary who visited Elizabeth and not the other way around?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you for pointing this out. You are of course correct. This is what we get for recording without a script at the cathedral!

[@peterturingan6328]

@@smarthistory-art-historyno worries. As I said it's really just a nitpick. The whole channel is excellent and I could spend hours watching your very informative videos. Cheers!

[@AntPDC]

Stunning building! The vault web looks to be in a parlous state :(

[@carmenfernandez5396]

@smarthistory, could you please explain what the decoration underneath the jams pedestals means? Not only here in Amiens, but in Charter, Paris... jams happen to stand over people, kings, demons, animals... I have not been lucky finding the meaning of this decoration underneath the pedestal, in the consola, means... In any case, thanks so much for your videos, they are just wonderful!

[@Bibiuavever-b5v]

The inside and the house of the cathedral look like the ones from Notre dame de Paris only the towers and the front

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Each building is quite distinct. Paris has in places a 4-part interior elevation and uses a double lancet in the clerestory. Amien opens the walls much more. Have a closer look.

[@guest_informant]

It'd be interesting to see this contrasted with the Hindu temple at Madurai.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We have an essay on the Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. Learn more about that temple here: smarthistory.org/meenakshi-madurai/

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Why are the two towers different at the tops, not symmetrical?

[@Sasha0927]

The demon tipping the scale, though... What a little jerk! lol. There was a lot to learn in / appreciate about this video. 🙂 There's not so much emphasis on the virgin Mary in my faith as I understand it, so hearing about the events in her right portal (e.g. dormition) was interesting! This is one of my favorite portrayals of her holding Jesus so far - it's sweet and natural, but still powerful. Lots more to say, would never make it inside, etc. 😂

[@smarthistory-art-history]

St. Michael is wise to that little imp so no worries. Amiens is a huge magnificent treat inside and out. We are glad you found the video valuable.

[@Sasha0927]

@@smarthistory-art-history lol! That's a relief. Your content's always amazing. I appreciate the knowledge, humor, and creativity Smarthistory adds to my day. 💕

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

Why are the front towers different heights? Everything else is meticulously symmetrical.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

It is quite common for towers not to match in Gothic cathedrals. They were often raised later than the rest of the church and one was often started after the other was complete or nearly so. See Chartres as an example. In other cases one might fall over time or become destabilized and had to be replaced at an even later date. Over time of course styles changed and that new style won out over visual consistency.

[@XX-gy7ue]

excellent

[@Knappa22]

As much as Notre Dame is an important building, it is outflanked by many cathedrals in France, including Amiens.

[@hernandemornay7559]

Good job

[@bonchance9241]

GUARD ALL CATHERDALS

[@groblerful]

Imagine the impact if it was all stained glass, and the figures were all re-painted. Why dont they do it?

[@sanapadsense1999]

Good question 🤔 Maybe the costs or something else, I don't know.

[@Haazheelt]

'Cause of the french conservation rules.

[@nathanielscreativecollecti6392]

What of the surviving stained glass?

[@andreaorsini752]

I'm planning to visit Amiens from Paris. How far is the Cathedral from the railway station?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Not a long walk, less than ten minutes.

[@alvarohenriquezgomez1105]

Ahora cuiden esta

[@fontgombeenberry33]

French subtitles ? ...(La langue officielle est encore le français à Amiens et en Picardie)

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We would love to add French subtitles. Can you help?

[@fontgombeenberry33]

Je ne pratique pas l'anglais, c'est la raison pour laquelle je souhaitais les sous-titres ... Quoi-qu'il en soit, merci de vous intéresser à notre patrimoine.

[@clio2rsminicup]

C'est une chaîne anglophone à la base.

[@knowone3529]

BigDaddy dropped this one on a Sunday in July..

[@Confucius_76]

Imagine if someone painted it again today

[@georgealderson4424]

I think it would be too much but maybe that is because we are not used to it.

[@blackrose7596]

Amien

[@leonardolopesbarbosa5188]

quem ta vendo por causa de uma tarefa

[@davidholmes2283]

You sound like you are in the church recording your comments in hushed tones.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

At the beginning of the video we mention that we are recording at the cathedral.

[@davidholmes2283]

@@smarthistory-art-history I missed that. Very informative. Nice job.

[@francoisleyrat8659]

And it survived to world wars...

[@tomshaw661]

outa' site!

[@schang8964]

Sieht wie Kölner Dom aus

[@wilhelmehlers4895]

If they could speak a little bit slowlier ...

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Please use the gear icon to slow the video.

[@rebeldog5567]

Why are we talking in whispering voices ?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We record on location. This particular location is an active church with worshipers who we try to be respectful of. We think this also helps give our viewers a sense of what is it like to be there.

[@Bogbastardo]

Whispering and vocal volume/pitch change creates interest in the listener. Try it. Speak to someone in normal voice then suddenly drop to a whisper. They will stare at you intently. by the way we spent a week here reminding ourselves of our stupendous European Christian ancestry. We will see our family again.

[@armanderuni3628]

What is the name of the beginning music ?