Description
The Miracles of the Virgin Window
Delaporte no. 9, Deremble-Manhes no. 38
Panel 23: Female Saint and Demon (The Virgin saves Theophilus?)
Panel heavily restored.
At the extreme left, is half of a Hell Mouth shown as the jaws of a beast. The creature has large curved teeth and flames leap from its throat. In the Hell Mouth stands a demon, with red body and face, a pug-nose and horns. It has cloven hoofs. Its body is covered with a pattern which might be scales, fur or flames. Facing the demon at right is a female figure with a halo, holding an open scroll.
Much of this panel is restoration glass so it is hard to interpret. However, scholars note the female figure wears garments similar to the figure in Panel 22. Several scholars have suggested that this is from the legend of Theophilus, the cleric who sold his soul to the devil, only to be rescued by the intercession of the Virgin (see Manhes-Deremble, p. 112). In the legend, the contract is a written document which is taken back by the Virgin. Manhes-Deremble points out that Bishop Fulbert described this miracle in his sermon on the Nativity of the Virgin, which was read at matins on that day (8 September). (Also see Delaporte, p. 194). It is also cited by Honorius in his homily on the Assumption of the Virgin (15 August) (Manhes-Deremble, p, 50).
Subject
Cathédrale de Chartres--Pictorial works.;Church decoration and ornament--France--Chartres--Pictorial works.;Church architecture--France--Chartres--Pictorial works.;Christian art and symbolism--France--Chartres--Medieval, 500-1500--Pictorial works.
