Description
North Porch, Central Portal, Right Jambs: Simeon- Detail
Simeon was an elderly priest in Jerusalem who greeted the infant Christ during his Presentation at the Temple. He had been promised by the Holy Ghost that he would live to see the Messiah. Simeon recognized Christ as the Messiah, took him in his arms, and prophesied that he was "is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel." (Luke 2: 25-35)
Simeon (bearded, haloed) holds the Christ Child (crossed halo) in his arms.
Many scholars have noted the parallelism in the iconography between Samuel (directly across from Simeon on the left jamb) and Simeon, in that they both hold sacrifices.
Note the traces of paint discovered during the 1990's cleaning.
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.
