Virgin Mary Portal - Bourges Cathedral

The north portal of Bourges Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Tympanum dates from between 1160 and was part of the older church the the Gothic cathedral replaced.

This is one of the most significant sculptural programs dedicated to the Virgin Mary in French Gothic architecture,t and is widely recognized for its theological depth, stylistic transition from Romanesque to Gothic, and Marian focus. The Central part of the sculpure depicts the Virgin Mary enthroned, surrounded by a mandorla, under a heavenly architectural canopy. Representing the Coronation of the Virgin or her Assumption into heaven. Her gesture is serene and central. Unusually she also hold the Christ child on her lap merging her role as the Queen of Heaven, the Incarnation (God made flesh), as the vessel of divine Logos (Christ the second person of the Trinity). The scene is typological presenting Mary as both earthly mother and heavenly queen in a unified symbolic statement.

To the left of the central scene is the Dormition (Death) of the Virgin. Apostles bend over her reclining form; with angels receiving her soul, shown as a small figure.