Portal of St Stephen

walwyn Tue, 08/05/2014 - 22:14
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The tympanum of St Stephen at Bourges cathedral was constructed by 1240, and is above one of the five portals at the west end of the cathedral. The tympanum is made up of three sections. The top section is an image of Christ as Salvator Mundi. The section below this shows his martyrdom, the bible describes how those that participated in the stoning laid their coats down at the feet of a young man called Saul. The lowest section depicts the Apostles making Stephen one of the seven deacons of the early church, whose task it was to distribute food and alms to the poor.