A Comparative Analysis of The Art Lions and Old Testament Prophet in Saint-pierre and Saint Theodore in Chartres Cathedral

The Medieval Period brought upon many new techniques and medias into the art world. Sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, mosaics, and metalwork were used greatly in the 1000 years of the Medieval. Many artists during these times were still influenced by life of the Roman Empire and iconography of Christianity. Following the Byzantine, art continued to interplay between classical elements with individual aspects. Romanesque and the Gothic period art varied and is best compared between the art we see in Saint-Pierre and Chartres Cathedral. Lions and Old Testament Prophet (Jeremiah or Isaiah?) and Saint Theodore are two sculptures best represented by their individual features and stylizations from the artists’ period through varying degrees of render, stance, and personalized attributes.

The arrival of Romanesque style corresponds with the popularity of spreading Christian faith, thus more religious sanctions came into demand. Saint-Pierre in Moissac, France was an important stop along the pilgrimage route to Saint James’ tomb. The monks settled there, adorned this church greatly with many relief sculptures and other decorations that displayed their pride and commitment to god. Although Christ was the motif for most portals, the South Portal of Saint Pierre also housed trumeau figures such as Lions and Old Testament prophet (Jeremiah or Isaiah?). Art historians have not been able to identify the figure viewers’ see, but have narrowed it down to be either Isaiah or Jeremiah. The closed eyes are meant that he is having a spiritual vision, in this case as a prediction of Jesus holding the prophecy. The scroll he holds also is indication of his vision. The curled beard on the trumeau sculpture is also sign of a philosopher and spiritual connection. In contrasts with past Roman and Greek relief sculptures physical characteristics, this dignitary has been carved with elongated features. He is very tall and thin set very compact alongside six lions; lions were often associated with bravery, often as protectors of temples and tombs. There is indication of form of his leg under the garment, yet it is still very stylized with linear qualities in the folds we see also in the illuminated manuscripts in contrast to the art we see in the Gothic Period.

Churches were burned down frequently during the Middle Ages, those including the Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France. The east part of the church stayed with features of the early and the west façade with high Gothic features. Flying buttresses were introduced alongside with emphasis on light and height. The Chartres Cathedral south transept further demonstrates the High Gothic Style. Included in the Porch of Martyrs housed an important jamb statue, Saint Theodore. Although he is a saint, he is presented as a soldier as described by the clothing he wears. Men in the Crusades typically wear the armor and garment, nothing similar to what a Saint would wear. It defies grounded iconography depictions, but it’s also what makes it more interesting. Although the statue is still attached to a column, it does not constrain him of its stance. Even the pose, gothic sway or curve, and young quality of Saint Theodore is doing is far from what we see from the Old Testament Prophet.

Each piece has it’s own artistic qualities, but Saint Theodore and Lions and Old Testament Prophet also share the same techniques. A sense of form is suggested in both, despite a better naturalistic quality of rendering we see in the folds of Theodore’s clothes. The protruding pedestal they stand on and curtain like onning also gives viewers an understanding and illusion of open composition. That method is supplemental to the idea of how they are both indirectly looking out. In Saint Theodore, he seems to be on alert with a stern face and Jeremiah and Isaiah looks away, taking no notice of what’s around him.

Construction of the jamb statue of Saint Theodore and trumeau sculpture of Lions and Old Testament Prophet (Jeremiah or Isaiah?) follow similar ideas of using Roman attire, but are characterized by there times of the Romanesque and Gothic. One embodies the idea of mystic visionary or prophetic inspiration and the other is portrayed as a whole different role. As periods developed, the idea of proportions, perspective and symmetry became a distinctive quality between the two sculptures as well. Both pieces took on different approaches, but both played an important role in their times.