The Chapel of the Virgin: Crown Jewel of the Cathedral of Rouen

The Chapel of the Virgin (Chapelle de la Vierge) is an extraordinary chapel located in the axis of the cathedral of Rouen, more formally known as the Cathédrale Primatiale Notre-Dame de l'Assomption de Rouen.  The chapel itself was begun in the year 1302 at the initiation of Archbishop Guillaume de Flavacourt, archbishop of Rouen from 1278-1306. 

The chapel is a beautiful blend of medieval French gothic architecture, with its characteristic soaring gothic vaults and tall stained glass windows, which has been accented and augmented by an impressive and powerful baroque altarpiece created by the artist Jean Racine between the years 1643-1645.  

At the centre of this baroque masterpiece is still yet another, a painting of the "Adoration of the Shepherds" done in 1629 by the French painter, Philippe de Champaigne -- an artist who is perhaps best known for his famous portraits of Cardinal Richelieu.

Aside from this painting, the reredos is itself filled with all sorts of sculptural figures and details, including a beautifully carved representation of the Virgin and Child, surrounded on various sides by angels, depicted with characteristic baroque drama and movement. 

It is worth noting that this particular chapel is also the site of a number of monuments, including the tombs of high-ranking prelates, the most prominent of which being the Renaissance era tomb of Cardinals Georges I and II d'Amboise, whom have been depicted in such a way as to make their effigies appear to be focused on the altar. It is a powerful depiction, reminding us that here too is where our own focus should be fixed. 

In the midst of all of the 'gothic vs. baroque' style wars that seem to have endlessly (and fruitlessly in my estimation) plagued us ever since mid-nineteenth century gothic revival movement, something that can seem to be neglected in these discussions is that this needn't be a case of "either/or."  To my mind, when one looks at chapel such as this, we can see the beautiful potential for and integration of medieval works with later Renaissance and Baroque works, each bringing with them their respective strengths and characteristics. 

To my mind, this particular space within the cathedral is, by far, the crown jewel of the cathedral, being more impressive than even the main body of the cathedral itself. 

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