Chartres Cathedral

by Malcolm Miller

The author is the world's foremost authority on Chartres, and is in residence there most of the year. He shows us the history of the cathedral and teaches us how to "read" the world-famous stained glass and sculpture, explaining the references to Scripture and the teachings of the Church. Chartres alone, of all the great medieval churches, has survived into the 20th century almost intact, not only architecturally but with its vast inconographic program in 12th-and 13th-century stained glass and sculpture. Medieval art was intended not just to embellish the church but to instruct the people, for there was no printing. Scholars could therefore teach their students, the clergy preach sermons and parents read the lives of the saints to their children using the 'texts' in stained glass and sculpture. The sister churches of Chartres have been sadly vandalized to varying degrees by Reform, revolution, war or natural disaster. Here in Chartres the 'text' is virtually complete. A concise glossary of symbolic images has been included as well as a complete plan of all the windows in the cathedral, and an index.

Genres: Art, History, Architecture, Nonfiction, Religion, Medieval

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

About the author

This is the disambiguation record for otherwise unseparated authors publishing as Malcolm Miller

See also:
Malcolm E. Miller, author of Guide to the Dissection of the Dog
Malcolm B. Miller, author of Chartres: Guide of the Cathedral
Malcolm J. Miller, author of The Southern Sky

Reviews

[Marc Lamot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of an overwhelming work of art, the pinnacle of Gothic art. Nicely illustrated.

[liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Beth A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE book on Chartres, and Malcolm Miller is an absolute teddy bear in person. The stories behind every detail of the church are spectacular, especially if you are very familiar with the Bible (I'm not, and I was blown away). This church is an homage to Mary, my fave.

[Nelson Minar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books are like keys that unlock a depth of understanding of something. Miller's treatment of the stained glass at Chartres is that kind of thing, both here in this book and in his guided tours which he's been giving for some 50(!) years.

This book excellent photos of all the windows and explains in detail what they mean. I can't emphasize enough how important this is. Before I read that book I'd look at medieval stained glass and think "oooh, pretty". Now I look and think "oh, that's a Jesse Tree, and over here is a very interesting depiction of the life of Saint Eustace see the stag there. And look, it's an oven in the corner of that window, perhaps the local baker's guild helped fund it". It's amazing how much more rewarding a visit is if you understand the meaning of things.

I particularly recommend this book for anyone planning a visit to Chartres. Read it before you go so you understand what you're seeing.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just lovely. Malcom Miller makes marvelous use of the photographs by Sonia Halliday and Laura Lushington to tell the reader the story of this fascinating cathedral. He dashes out a quick historical survey to then dig in to the myriad beautiful details that dot this masterpiece of architecture. His description of the major stained-glass windows and adorning statues, accompanied by gorgeous pictures, help the reader see the level of detail that was put into this gargantuan building. Even for a former Catholic it is fascinating to see them weave Old and New Testament stories, as well as more than a few apocryphal ones, into their windows to a formidable theological effect. I would highly recommend taking this book if you happen to be visiting Chartres and just reading Miller’s wonderful analysis as you gaze up those beautiful windows.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Once upon a time, the world was full of miracles. And Chartres was of all places, one of the most miraculous." Quote from Colin Ward's Folio Society book, The Making of a Miracle. I loved the book and it is indebted to Malcolm Miller--as we all are. Chartres is a miracle but so is Malcolm Miller. He has devoted his entire life to research, study and teaching people all about the cathedral. His knowledge is so incredibly rich that he says every tour he gives is different. I dream about staying in Chartres a week and soaking up all his stories. He is wonderful on the glass. The book is a must-read but probably it is his publication on the stained glass windows that really is his greatest. In addition to Miller and Ward, the other classic is John James, Chartres: The Masons Who Built a Legend.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quotable:

Christ had promised the apostles, if they drink and deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. (Mk. 16:18)

The Charlemagne Window... The beardless figure accompanying Charlemagne could be his youthful nephew, Roland... The youthful figure standing behind Charlemagne could again be Roland.

The final panel, in the apex of the window, depicts the Mass of St. Giles, intended for the forgiveness of Charlemagne's terrible sin, which he dared not even confess. In the 13th century the sin was made explicit as an incestuous relationship with his sister, from which it has been suggested that Roland was born.

[Jim Short · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a great history of the church and its development. It describes all of the original glass which has made Chartres so famous. The author also gets too much into dogmatic Catholic teaching during those descriptions.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Studying for my visit. Great pictures of stained glass. Need more!

[Mary Davidsaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photography. Rich historical detail. A truly impressive work that documents an unique measure of human endeavor.

[Sarah]

I wish I had read this before I toured the Cathedral. Fabulous and detailed explanations of the windows and the church by the singular expert on the topic.

[David Elizardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading 1985 Pitkin Pictorials edition from Birmingham Public Library
ISBN 9781878351135

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've met the man who wrote this. Like, seriously. He's really old so I'm very fortunate. He's also got this adorable sense of humor. But this book was brilliant. I had to read it for a research project, but I secretly borrowed it to just read the whole thing. Malcolm Miller also toured my group around the Cathedral, and I was captivated the whole time. The pictures in the book were gorgeous, an awesome representation of the real thing, especially those of the stained glass windows because they were quite inaccessible. Huzzah!

[Mesoscope · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent book, beautifully-illustrated and wonderfully written by one of the great living specialists on the Notre-Dame de Chartres cathedral, this book takes you on a detailed tour of the church with special attention to its history and the meaning of its many forms. Very highly recommended.