VISUALIZATION OF THE EUCHARISTIC THEME IN THE 12th-CENTURY ICONOGRAPHIC PROGRAMME FOR THE WEST FAÇADE OF THE SAINT-DENIS BASILICA

Abstract

The article is devoted to the representation of the eucharistic theme in the 12th-century iconographic program for the west facade of the Saint-Denis basilica – the first monument of the Gothic epoch. The author analyzes the iconographic decision for the Christ’s image of the central portal on the West facade and states the hypothesis about the ways of creating this piece of iconography. The author also shows the main feature of the central portal programme explaining the specificity of representation of the Lord’s image in the tympan which is an attempt to visualize the Eucharistic Prayer.

Keywords

• saint-denis basilica
• abbot suger
• christ’s image
• iconographic programme
• the eucharistic prayer