Description
Thomas the Apostle Window
Delaporte no. 46, Deremble-Manhes no. 23
Panel 12: Thomas oversees the construction of a church
Panels 9-12 of this window show the story of King Gundophorus and Thomas. Gundophorus brought Thomas to India as an architect to build him a grand palace “in the Roman style.” The king gave Thomas a large amount of gold to fund the construction and then left for an extended time. When he returned, he found that Thomas had spent the money aiding the poor and building churches instead of building a palace.
Thomas (haloed, barefooted) stands at left. At right is a scene of the construction of a church. There is a large doorway in the center of the panel: two bareheaded men carry a rectangular object (a stone?) through it on a stretcher-like apparatus. To the right is an apse with a second – clerestory-like level. There are pointed, arched windows on both levels (compare with the east end of Chartres Cathedral itself). On the roof and above the doorway of this structure are men (probably workmen) who look and gesture toward Thomas.
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.
