Description
Thomas the Apostle Window
Delaporte no. 46, Deremble-Manhes no. 23
Panel 21: When Thomas prays, a demon breaks the idol
Thomas is ordered to worship the idol of the sun (see panel 20). He prays and calls forth the demon that resides in the idol and orders it to break the idol.
At left, Thomas (haloed, barefooted), kneels at left, raising his hands in a gesture of prayer. He turns his back on the rest of the panel. At center is the demon breaking the idol. The demon is a small, nude, humanoid figure at center. It stands on the idol, which has been broken- its head and torso slump forward. The demon stands on top of the broken idol- it pushes out the walls of the architectural frame (a pagan temple?), which surrounded the idol. The structure is shattering and falling. To the right stands King Mygdeus (crowned) stands at right, crowned and holding a scepter. He turns away from the scene of destruction, but looks back toward it. To the extreme right are two hooded figures (priests of the sun god?)
The image of the demon breaking the temple may be related to images of the blind Samson breaking down the banqueting hall. - JV
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.
