Description
The Miracles of the Virgin Window
Delaporte no. 9, Deremble-Manhes no. 38
Panel 16: Cleric with an open book (Theophilus?)
At right, a man sits head on hand at a lectern (prie dieu?) with an open book. Behind is a beam with a curtain hanging from it and an object with a pointed roof-like top above it. (a reliquary? A tower indicating that this is taking place in a church?). Some have suggested that the beam and curtain indicate that this is a part of a liturgical drama.
Much of this panel is restoration glass so it is difficult to interpret. Several scholars have noted that the clothing of the man is similar to that of the man standing in front of the Virgin in Panel 22. It has been suggested that this is Theophilus, the cleric who sold his soul to the devil, only to be rescued by the intercession of the Virgin (Manhes-Deremble, p. 112). 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.
