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One distinctive feature of Reims Cathedral not found in other High Gothic cathedrals is the wall of sculpture on the inside of the west façade. Some of the statues, particularly around the doors, were badly damaged by fire after the bombardment of the church in 1914, but the wall has been substantially restored.
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims. The outstanding handling of new architectural techniques in the 13th century, and the harmonious marriage of sculptural decoration with architecture, has made Notre-Dame in Reims one of the masterpieces of Gothic art.
Located on the left-hand side of the main portal of Reims Cathedral, the "Ange au Sourire" is both a protective angel and a symbol of identity. Why is this medieval statue such a source of pride and utopia ?
The Smiling Angel (French: L'Ange au Sourire), also known as the Smile of Reims (Le Sourire de Reims) or Angel of the Annunciation, is a stone sculpture at the cathedral of Reims. Sculptors that were pioneers of the Gothic style came from workshops in Chartres, Paris and Amiens to work on the Reims Cathedral. [1]
Reims is richly decorated with elegant masonry sculpture (particularly the exterior) and exceptional stained-glass windows, making it one of the artistic masterpieces of the French High Gothic period.
Weightless walls of glass and lifelike sculpture—in its freedom and invention, the great cathedral at Reims typifies High Gothic style.
The cathedral was essentially built in just 60 years! In addition to its historical importance, Reims Cathedral is recognized as one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in France, both for its architecture and for its statuary, which includes no fewer than 2,303 statues ! It's an extraordinary size !
