Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral (Notre Dame de Chartres), c.1145 and 1194 - c. 1230
0 - 9:17 West Façade and Royal Portal
9:17 - 16:44 Interior, Flying Buttresses, and Stained Glass
16:44 - 18:55 South Porch and Saint Theodore
Speakers: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris

[@chriseversole9192]

I can listen to you two talk about art and architecture all day.

[@kev8346]

They’re definitely a power team, they bounce off of each other. I love Dr. Beth’s voice!

[@dir-gk]

same, i wanna kiss them.

[@chriss6356]

I'm so glad I found this channel

[@rr7firefly]

I consider myself privileged to have seen Chartres as part of my college education. But we students did not have videos like this with closeups of sculptural details or a good explanation of Chartres' historical development. This is a gem of a presentation and I am grateful for it. One thing that I lament is the plastering over of the structural stones in the groin vaults that have been painted with false joints. The overall effect is a nave with a very clean appearance that belies the actual structural elements of the vaulting and their true age.

[@mayswildman]

So relaxing and educational! Thank you.

[@monsieurm6975]

A beautiful job of walking us through this Gothic masterpiece.

[@rossrreyes]

Both of you have the BEST voices I could listen to you two speak regardless of the subject

[@dianapachecolara.8322]

Sameeee

[@raevt]

I only wanted to watch a video showing the interior of the cathedral. Never expected this to be a video about architecture, and all my life I've never had much interest in it. But the way you both explained it... Wow. I was completely drawn in. You are fantastic teachers and are clearly very passionate about the subject.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

That is very kind of you. If you'd like to learn more about cathedral architecture, we have videos on important buildings in France, Italy, England, Germany, etc. Durham or Lincoln or Gloucester in England or Amiens or Reims in France might be good places to start.

[@betttrbeth]

I love how you sound like sports play-by-play announcers. This is a fascinating building full of motion and stories and you really bring it to life! Great work!

[@clarkferman8589]

Hi Lisa👋 I hope my Comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion always like to meet with people like you who have a Godly heart.i don't normally write in the comments section but I think you deserve this compliment. if you don't mind can we be friends?? Thanks God bless you 🙏

[@soniavadnjal7553]

Great presentation, and I would agree, the cathedral is stunning, spectacular. I was there.

[@pigeonman820]

I'm not Christian and have never been interested in Christianity or even architecture, but somehow I'm so interested.. Props to you two for making this amazing video!

[@Sennmut]

Well, think about it! ;)

[@mrdisco99]

I was lucky enough to visit this beautiful place many years ago. There is so much to see that you can't possibly take it all in. Thanks for taking me back there and showing me some of the things I missed.

[@SowerOfMustardSeed]

This video is awesome! Thanks for taking us to a whole different level!

[@Lambonius]

Thanks for the time-stamp annotations. Very helpful!

[@mspelleri]

What wonderful detail and explanation! Thanks for the great tour!

[@PoseidonXIII]

The Gothic period is one of my favorite!!

[@Margoctober]

Excellent, beautiful

[@MsHburnett]

Thank you . Bishop Robert Barron advised me this is his favourite cathedral in the world!

[@massimosquecco203]

Light is the expression of the Divine, and Chartres shows us the essence of God, which is light and love. I must see it before I die!

[@catherinewan2561]

Thank you so much! I learned a lot and your information is so clear and easy understanding!

[@rolloalquiros2812]

Highly educational, keep up the good work!

[@matchedimpedance]

"I'm so glad we decided to spend the day at Chartres." - Me too! Thanks for the video.

[@dvovo7071]

I visited Notre Dame de Chartres in January 2020. Thank you for sharing.

[@phucle475]

This is relaxing🤗

[@dharmanvenkatesan934]

Very elaborated and educative commentary. Good work. Thanks.

[@simibignall5688]

Excellent learning resource. Very well done indeed! Thank you.

[@notyukon5420]

roblox

[@cesazz]

Amazing I absolutely love watching your videos!

[@ToledoWingNut]

Excellent! Your presentations are so cogent and interesting. So sad that Reims and Amiens were not as fortunate in terms of their stained glass survival.

[@bwanaminoplis2536]

Do you know Leon cathedral ?? if you like stained windows that is your cathedral :D (but it is in Spain, a little far from Ille de France, but the same atmosphere )

[@Do-si]

The way you seamlessly linked the spiritual aspects without any personal projection on religion is truly impressive.

[@martakapas5299]

so gently Thank you so much

[@KG-Love]

Thank you, Welborn Griffith, for saving the cathedral

[@deer563]

Smart history i love your videos keep up the good work

[@andrewparis1917]

Wonderful. Thank you both. The commentary on opening up the space of the cathedral to light, reminded me of Milton's SAMSON AGONISTES "O first created Beam, and thou great Word, | Let there be light, and light was over all; ". Milton dwells on the importance of light as God's PRIME DECREE, having lost his sight. I appreciated the informed commentary with the visual aids illustrating the architecture.

[@alangordon4186]

Excellent presentation.

[@brendanbarnett9151]

Your voices are so relaxing.

[@martakapas5299]

beautiful

[@franklotion8]

Exceptional video..thank you👍👍👍

[@almeggs3247]

So happy to have found you both again. My thanks to your knowledge and instruction! God bless you both!

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Welcome back

[@cdrmusicaz]

this was well done! thank you!

[@vanzetti7]

Nice work guys - really great!

[@lonelystupidwar]

Learned something new from this. Thank you 🙏🏻.

[@myla6135]

Wonderful! Thank you. I bought my first pair of binoculars from a small shop just up a little side street close by. They cost a fair bit but worth every penny (or back then, centime) to get a close look at the stunning stained glass and statuary.

[@miketackabery7521]

I just love your videos.

[@enonita5300]

Wonderful review, thanks

[@fr.michaelknipe4839]

Wow 🤩. Another amazing video. Love the highlights and explanations 🙌🏼😇

[@macjeffff]

Marvelous!

[@Sasha0927]

Wow.. I had no idea Mary's tunic was preserved. This was quite the shift from the Madonna paintings so far on the Medieval playlist.. Zooming in on the porch was amazing - I never expected so much sculpture to be there, much less the significance they convey. I don't know how long it'd take me to get inside the church because I'd be stopped in my tracks for a while appreciating / trying to understand it.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

The porch is astonishingly beautiful.

[@auburncrimson]

Thank you ✨🙏❤️

[@ashw6251]

Your videos are very helpful, uni lecture slides are not enough hhh Thanks！

[@Romul099]

my favorite cathedral

[@richardashton9490]

Point of order, the commentary gets the Visitation the wrong way round. It is Elizabeth who is visited by Mary.

[@MH-ms1dg]

I like how they simulated the masonry on the vaults i often see guesses that the cathedrals were painted like the night sky: blue with stars

[@ginacrusco234]

This is wonderful. I was hoping to hear a bit of discussion about the labyrinth, too.

[@nora1318]

U guys are why I pass my history of architecture exams

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

My favorite french cathedral Chartres in England my favorite is Canterbury cathedral

[@a-complished4406]

Love the video and the narration was very engaging, now a question, why are the towers not matching like in the Notre Dame?

[@smarthistoryvideos]

They were build in different centuries and each reflects the latest fashion of their era. I think we mention this in the video.

[@andrewgillis3073]

Another reason sculptures may be stylistically different. Up until the reformation, churches kept a mason or on staff to repair broken statues or make new ones. If a statue was broken, the artist would carve a new on, but in the current style. In Europe the employment of masons by the cathedrals went out of favor during the Napoleonic wars, and later, WWI. The British National Trust still has a staff of masons. 😊

[@andyigwe7119]

I remember reading Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth almost 20 years ago and that was my 1st introduction to Gothic architecture and cathedral building

[@howtubeable]

What caused the re-interpretation of the tympanum, and when did it occur?

[@smarthistoryvideos]

See: Margot Fassler, "Liturgy and Sacred History in the Twelfth-Century Tympana at Chartres," The Art Bulletin, Vol. 75, No. 3 (Sep., 1993), pp. 499-520.

[@paulrath7764]

The right tympanum is exactly representing the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

[@milagrosfernandez512]

Es una Bendición

[@user-yp2mw2ko9k]

8:50 By the way, this trancendental streamlining of the figures will appear again in the paintings of "El Greco".

[@user-mq9dn2hn2v]

3:23 facades 😍the only kinda facade i enjoy i think

[@neoxsupreme]

Very interested in a future visit to Chartres. Is the Sancta Camisa on public display for visitors? If so, are photos allowed?

[@smarthistoryvideos]

The Sancta Camisa was displayed each time we have visited (except perhaps once) and photographs were allowed throughout the church during these visits.

[@neoxsupreme]

@@smarthistoryvideos Thanks so much.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

@@neoxsupreme Remember to turn off your camera's flash, and have a great trip, its a wonderful place to visit.

[@paullewis2413]

Actually much of the west front looks decidely Romanesque . (Exceptions of course being the portals and the round window)

[@rlaury45]

anyone know the name of the jazz piano they use in these videos?

[@claudiascott6654]

This is lovely.. I have been to Chartres but learned more of this. Curious if you are presenting the relics as facts or just being respectful.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

We seek to be respectful of all the traditions that we discuss in the context of art history. As to the issue of belief, it seems to me (and many theologians) that that is a matter that the individual must struggle with.

[@ceejaeparayno1894]

How many stained windows in chartres?

[@ChristianJiang]

The subtitles really said “bright classical music” at the start 💀

[@sauvageaux]

❤

[@suegreene1]

Is it inspired by Santiago de Compostela?

[@lyrablack8621]

West doorway: 12th century gothic Small, round windows King's gallery Rose window: plate tracery (not bar tracery) Lancets: sculptures; jamb figures (prophets, kings and queens of France, isolated and ethereal) Tympanum (L to R): Christ before incarnation, second coming, second coming, Christ's birth (annunciation, visitation, birth of Christ, Jesus brought to the temple, Mary as the throne of wisdom (Christ is wisdom)) (Used to be ascension, second coming, life of virgin Mary) Roman influence: based on basilica 1194 fire; beginning of High Gothic style Three-part elevation instead of four-part elevation Four-point ribbed groin vault: more room for stained glass; flying buttresses support Virgin of the Beautiful Window: blue against red, Mary as throne of wisdom; heavenly image North transept: rose window; Blanche of Castille, mother of King Louis IX, major patron of Gothic art, references to French monarchy South transept: projects much more than West (High Gothic); jamb figures independent from columns; more natural Evolution of Gothic style

[@felixjieprang]

👍🏼

[@riproar11]

I visited Chartres Cathedral in 1990. Personally, I prefer the aged interior that exudes hundreds and hundreds of years of history and evangelical relevance.

[@notyukon5420]

roblox

[@robertjackson519]

😍❗️Wonderful 👍💚🤮😍😍

[@theparadigm8149]

Why the “🤮”?!

[@leeharvey8544]

😍🙏💫

[@dawnsalois]

But why two different spires?

[@smarthistoryvideos]

One was built later than the other.

[@michaelchmela921]

GREAT! 🇦🇹🇦🇹🇦🇹👍🙌👍🇦🇹🇦🇹🇦🇹🤓💒‼‼‼

[@user-hr9cr5ul5s]

Why was it so tall though?

[@smarthistoryvideos]

We explain in the video.

[@user-yp2mw2ko9k]

These intelligent and sensitive voices are not from this earth - ah, what mankind could be and what mankind is, could there be a huger abyss imaginable ?

[@anessapennington1825]

Who takes the time to do a thumbs down on an educational video?

[@ToledoWingNut]

Anessa Rogers Great point! 11 people actually didn’t like this!?

[@brentharke8560]

uh...me

[@miketackabery7521]

​@@brentharke8560poor thing

[@TheLadiesman180]

I'm writing a paper on comparison of Parthenon and Chartres can anyone help?

[@HollywoodF1]

Sure. Start with this: they have nothing in common.

[@jamesraymond4100]

@@HollywoodF1 lol

[@ezragonzalez8936]

Don't care about the "religious bs part of it" but as architecture goes its one of the most astonishing examples of gothic splendor .. and La Sagrada Familia is another masterpiece.. I was catholic the dark side of the church unfortunately killed it for me .. as well as any other organized religion.. beautifully narrated!

[@gioseanuandrei5489]

Very bad idea what they did with the vaulting. You can do plaster anywhere, but you cannot see medieval masonry everywhere. Even if it wasn't the most nice looking stonework it just showed it was made by hand with simple tools. Such a shame.

[@user-yp2mw2ko9k]

7:30 Just a personal remark: I always loathed the concept of the day of judgement and the rising of the dead - all these nasty creatures that have caused so much pain and mischief to each other coming back to life ? Eternal rest would be my dream of heaven, buddhist dissolvement of body and soul, the great nirvana, but ressurrection ? Pure horror!

[@remyposees]

same comment as Noe Berengera beneath

[@guilhermesilveira5254]

Is very gothic. The roof cross is big.

[@araucariapasquale1]

How many likes can you give a video? Just one? Bah!

[@shannonbowman5990]

❤