Rose – Tanka 2024 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetryTags:, ,
***FEATURED DOOR, Main Entrance/West Portal, Church of St. Trophime, Arles – France. Image credit: Leonid Andronov | Stock

carved master plan

silent ancients tell stories

standing at portal gates

years and continents apart

a copy builds a rose

**

Situated in the south of France in (if the area of  Camargue is included), the largest city in France by kilometers squared and rebuilt several times from the 6th to 15th century stands The Church of St. Trophime Arles, France.

Its West facade represents what some experts consider to be the finest example of Romanesque architecture in France.

**The Featured Door** – The West Portal/Main Entrance of The Church of St. Trophime Arles, France.

Surrounding the wood doors with ornate metal braces are meticulously carved figures and stories from the Bible including the story of the Apocalypse with the figure of Christ seated in the tympanum, (a closeup is shown below).

Closeup- Main Entrance Church of St. Trophime, Arles France. Image credit: © Joaquin Ossorio Castillo | Dreamstime

Trivia #1: Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles for fifteen months beginning in 1888. That period is considered the most prolific of his career, producing, some say, over three hundred pieces, including sketches.

Pablo Picasso had a deep affection for the city because of Van Gogh’s legacy, so much so that Picasso donated fifty-seven of his paintings to the Arles Museum in honor of Vincent Van Gogh’s work in Arles.

Trivia #2: The Church of St. Trophime in Arles served as the inspiration for the design of The chapel at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.

The Dean of the University journeyed to the region in France (circa 1920) where she was deeply impressed by the West Portal of the Church of St. Trophime and its sculptures.

Consequently, she recommended to the architect tasked with constructing the university’s new chapel that he replicate the West Portal of St. Trophime in Arles France.

Shortly thereafter in 1921, the architect traveled to Arles, France, where precise measurements were taken to faithfully recreate the original facade. The only deviation from the original facade is the inclusion of a rose window in the chapel’s rendition (image comparisons below).

Church of St. Trophime, Arles. France Image credit: tichr | iStock
Our Lady of Victory Chapel, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota USA. Image credit: Jferrer | |Stock

***

And for more #ThursdayDoors

Visit Dan Antion at No Facilities

ThursdayDoors
In Primo piano

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

66 thoughts on “Rose – Tanka 2024 #ThursdayDoors”

  4. Beautiful Suzette. You always seem to be able to make brilliant and interesting choices. I was also interested to read that Arles is the biggest city in France … I would have thought Paris or maybe Marseilles would have that title.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Brenda, you are correct, Paris is larger by population. Arles, including its administrative area of Camargue, makes only its surface area by kilometers squared larger than Paris at 758.93 km2. Paris’ surface area by kilometers squared is 105.4 km2. Thanks for noting this. I updated my post to reflect this explanation..Much appreciated.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. In ancient times (medieval).the skilled workers traveled about and worked on these buildings and then moved on. There is rarely any record of these talented stoneworkers and carvers, save for their mark etched in a hard-to-find spot on the buildings. So amazing their work and almost anonymous labor.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. That’s just an amazing human endeavor to read the account of the Dean of the university of Minnesota, so inspired to replicate the west wing of St Trophime.
    And a copy builds a rose, too lovely.

    Also the magnanimous gesture of Pablo Picasso to honour the works and life of Van Gogh in Arles.

    A wonderful Thursday Cathedral read.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes so true. To be so impressed and moved to action by carefully replicating a facade is pretty next level. I noted the care of sending the architect to take exact measurements, a true commitment to a faithful rendition of the West facade at Arles…it was apparently too important a construction endeavor to build the chapel from The Dean’s recollections from her Arles visit. Pretty awesome!

      I believe that Pablo Picasso credits his inspiration to paint in his early years to his admiration for Van Gogh, an admiration which he held throughout his life.

      Thursday blessings to you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes Poet, endeavor is the operative word. Truly beautiful to read these historical notes of how humans are inspired and moved to action, to make things happen. This was a huge project and there stands the replica of the facade in Minnesota.
        I love how you excavate the construction stories of the magnificent cathedrals, which would otherwise remain a secret to me.
        Oh yes, that’s a beautiful credit given to a master like Van Gogh.

        Happy Thursday blessing Poet.
        Thank you.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Pingback: Rose – Tanka 2024 #ThursdayDoors – Suzette B’s Blog | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  9. Delightful poetry today, Suzette. I was wondering where you were leading us with the “copy” reference. That is such a cool story. Thank you for including the two photos for comparison.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I am glad you enjoyed the share and thank you for journeying with the poem to find meaning in the last line’s reference. And, thank you very much Dan for your work in hosting Thursday Doors. Much appreciated!

      Liked by 2 people

  12. I always go back to your poem after reading the stories so that I can understand the lines. You’ve captured so many details in so few words. I’d love to see either of these doors 🙂 Maggie

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for picking up the trail and going back to read the poem. I really appreciate your avid reading and teasing out of the little crumbs I manage to scrape together on these shares. Thanks again Maggie you are so kind. Safe Travels always!

      Liked by 2 people

  17. I think the proportions of the original are more pleasing. The architect may have measured the proportions but he did not follow them. I also like the contrast between the details of the doorway and the simple facade better on the original. And those side doors are important to the design–they anchor the building.
    Your poem is a good reflection, giving voice to those carvings. (K)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes, I very much agree with your assessment. The original has well-defined symmetry. Every element takes the eye to another part of the fascade… perhaps that is not something that is easily copied…
      Thank you for your astute reflections as always. Blessings to you.

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.