La Chaise-Dieu: The Choir Tapestries
(vero;2022-Nov-21)
We have a bit of background which we recommend reading before you click on the links below to access panoramas of the fourteen tapestries. We also have a separate gallery showing details of some of the tapestries.
Although there is no documentation to prove it, the choir tapestries of the abbey of La Chaise-Dieu are believed to have been commissioned by Abbot Jacques de Saint-Nectaire, whose coat of arms appears on several of the tapestries together with the coat of arms of the abbey. They were woven between 1501 (the date the Saint-Nectaire family was granted their coat of arms by the king) and April 1518 (as proven by a document mentioning that they were exhibited on the feast of the founder of the abbey - April 30th of that year).
It is not known who designed the tapestries but the subject and presentation are quite unique; it is believed that they have been woven in Flanders, as this was the only region at that time able to produce works of such a size and quality (see our separate gallery for some close-ups and details). As for the theme of the tapestries, one would normally expect some more traditional scenes illustrating the life of Saint Robert de Turlande, the founder of the abbey, or of Saint-Benedict since the abbey was following the rules of the Benedictine order. Instead the tapestries picture scenes of the New Testament framed by scenes of the Old Testament representing a similar subject: an attempt to demonstrate that the Ancient Testament was actually foreboding the New Testament.
The narration of each tapestry follows a pattern as illustrated in the scene of the Annunciation pictured on the left (promise to Mary that she will bear the son of God). The central scene is framed by two prefigurations. On the right the promise of redemption made to Adam and Eve by God; on the left the story of Gideon and his fleece, requesting a sign from God so that he could believe in his promises. The link between these prefigurations and the central scene is explained in the quatrains at the top of the tapestry and announced by the prophets who appear in the windows at the top and bottom of the tapestry holding phylacteries with the prophecy. Between the two prophets at the top, there is alternatively the arms of the abbey and those of Jacques de Saint-Nectaire.
The collection includes fourteen tapestries (although a pre-revolutionary inventory mentions eighteen of them). Twelve were originally displayed in the monks' choir and have expressively been made to fit the place; they were removed from their original place in 2013 for a major renovation campaign and have been relocated in 2019 in a special room of the abbey for better and safer viewing: the so-called nave of the tapestries. See this old picture to get an idea how they looked when still in the church. The twelve choir tapestries form a complete suite from the Annunciation to the Last Judgement:
- The central tapestry (see tapestry 7 below, the only one with a square plan) representing the Crucifixion has been designed to be presented above the door of the rood screen. Two smaller tapestries were hung on either side of the Crucifixion: the left one representing the Carrying of the Cross (tapestry 6) and the right representing the Harrowing of Hell (tapestry 8). Those three tapestries occupied the exact width of the chancel.
- Along the south side of the chancel the first five tapestries (1 to 5) were hung in five bays and the last four (9 to 12) were hung along the north side of the chancel. They all have an identical length of about 29 m.
The two other tapestries representing the Nativity (13th tapestry) and the Resurrection (14th tapestry) do not belong to the choir suite (and are currently displayed on the gallery of the nave of the tapestries). They were probably commissioned by the abbot for his personal use (the abbey's coat of arms does not appear on them, but only his family coat of arms); although they are of a very similar style to the tapestries intended for the choir, the Old Testament announcements are not part of them.
1st tapestry: Annunciation - Nativity - Epiphany
In the first scene on the right, the Annunciation is framed by the promise of the Redeemer to Adam and Eve on the left and the miracle of the fleece of Gideon on the right.
| Click on the panorama to open a larger version in a separate tab. Click again to activate scrolling and use the bottom scroll bar to navigate through the picture and view it in full detail. |
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2nd tapestry: Flight to Egypt - Massacre of the Innocents - Baptism of Jesus
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3rd tapestry: Temptation of Jesus - Raising of Lazarus - Jesus Entry in Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
In the first scene on the right, the temptation of Christ is surrounded by that of Adam and Eve on the left and that of Esau on the right, who sold his birthright for a plate of lentils. The last scene of Jesus entering Jerusalem is framed on the left by the victorious David holding Goliath's head.
| Click on the panorama to open a larger version in a separate tab. Click again to activate scrolling and use the bottom scroll bar to navigate through the picture and view it in full detail. |
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4th tapestry: Judas betrays Jesus to the Pharisees- Last Supper - Judas' Kiss
In the first scene on the right, Judas' betrayal is framed by the sale of Joseph (son of Jacob in the Old Testament) by his brothers on the left and by Delilah's betrayal of Samson on the right.
| Click on the panorama to open a larger version in a separate tab. Click again to activate scrolling and use the bottom scroll bar to navigate through the picture and view it in full detail. |
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5th tapestry: Flagellation of Jesus - The Crown of Thorns
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6th tapestry: Jesus in front of Pontius Pilatus - Carrying of the Cross
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7th tapestry: Crucifixion
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8th tapestry: Harrowing of Hell
In the time between his crucifixion and his resurrection, Jesus descends to Hell to bring salvation to the souls held captive there since the beginning of the world, Adam and Eve foremost.
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9th tapestry: Burial of Jesus - Resurrection
The Burial of Jesus is framed on the left by Joseph (son of Jacob in the Old Testament) being thrown in a well by his brothers and on the right by Jonah being swallowed by the whale. The Resurrection of Jesus is framed on the left by one of Joseph's brothers opening the door to the well and on the right by Jonah being vomited out by the whale.
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10th tapestry: Jesus appears to the pious women - Jesus' visit to Maria Magdalena
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11th tapestry: Doubting Thomas - Pentecost
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12th tapestry: Coronation of the Virgin - Last Judgement
The last Judgement on the right is framed on the left by a scene of the Old Testament representing the Judgement of Solomon (my guess).
| Click on the panorama to open a larger version in a separate tab. Click again to activate scrolling and use the bottom scroll bar to navigate through the picture and view it in full detail. |
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13th tapestry: Nativity
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14th tapestry: Resurrection
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Want to see more? Go back to Abbey of La Chaise-Dieu or go on to La Chaise-Dieu: Details of the Choir Tapestries or go up to Abbey of La Chaise-Dieu
$updated from: Museums.htxt Mon 04 Mar 2024 16:04:48 trvl2 (By Vero and Thomas Lauer)$