Jamb Figures of Central Door of Royal Portal, Chartres Cathedral

Charles Nègre

1857

This photogravure by Charles Nègre records the jamb figures of the central door at Chartres Cathedral, aiming to document and convey the sculptural detail and solemn rhythm of the Gothic portal.

You’re struck by the steady vertical rhythm of elongated saints carved into narrow columns, their folded drapery and halos modeled in a soft range of greys that emphasize surface texture and deep shadows.

Made in the mid‑19th century, Nègre’s photograph helped establish photography as a tool for architectural study and public appreciation of medieval art, shaping scholarly work, restorations, and the Gothic Revival.

Palette

Art Terms

Photography Photogravure Documentary photography Architecture Sculpture Relief

Exhibitions

French Photographs: Daguerre to Atget

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Roots of French Photography

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Before Photography: Painting and the Invention of Photography

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