The intricate architectural elements of the Sainte-Chapelle show King Louis IX’s efforts to make this royal chapel a link between God and French leadership. Stone statues of the 12 apostles were placed in each column of the upper chapel to highlight how the King is perceived with a strong religious value. The upper chapel was highly pristine, only to be used by the king, his close acquaintances, and his relatives. The statues of the twelve apostles stood over the relics of the Passion of Christ for over 500 years, until they were taken down, beat up, and buried during the French Revolution of 1789 and 1830. Because the revolutionists viewed this building as a symbol of the French monarch, they sought to destroy it during their fight for freedom. Four of the statues were beheaded. In the 1800s, six of the twelve statues were restored and placed back into the chapel, while the remaining six, extremely damaged and fragmented, were sent to the Cluny Museum in a further attempt to be restored. The statue of one of the 12 apostles, Saint Peter, held in the chapel, is pictured here. This statute reflects the King’s efforts to link his monarchical power with the divine power of God.
References
St. Peter Statue. 1243, Paris, Artist unknown
Image -
Cjuneau from Ottawa, CANADA, photographer. Statue of Peter the Apostle. Sainte Chapelle, Paris, 10 Sept. 2014.