Images: Index of Medieval Art
Clavis number: ECMA 164
Other descriptors: none
Location: Poitiers, Vienne (west façade, right portal)
Category: tympana
Related literature: Acts of Thomas, Miracles of Thomas, Passion of Thomas
Featured characters and locations: Gad, India, Thomas (apostle).
1. DESCRIPTION
Material: stone
Size: not provided
Date: built after 1150, façade dates to the middle of the thirteenth century; damaged in 1562.
Images: upper zone: Thomas raises Gad (sitting on ground), who describes the palace that he saw in heaven (centre). Two angels flank the roof and figures are visible at windows. Five men on lower left, two kneel in centre, and three others surround Thomas. Lower zone: Thomas, flanked by seven apostles, touches side of Christ, head and right hand destroyed.
2. RELATION TO APOCRYPHAL LITERATURE
In the Acts of Thomas (and its adaptations), the apostle journeys to India and is commanded by King Gundaphorus to construct for him a palace. While the king is away, Thomas distributes the funds for the palace to the poor. Gundaphorus discovers the subterfuge, but before he can punish Thomas, his brother Gad dies. Thomas raises Gad back to life and Gad tells of seeing a great palace for Gundaphorus in heaven (Acts Thom. 17–29).
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Auber, Charles-Auguste. Histoire de la cathédrale de Poitiers. Mémoires de la Société des antiquaires de l’Ouest année 1848. 2 vols. Poitiers: chez tous le libraires, 1849.
Blomme, Yves. “La construction de la cathédrale Saint-pierre de Poitiers.” Bulletin Monumental 1 (1994): 7–65.
__________. Poitiers: La cathédrale Saint-Pierre. Éditions du Patrimoine. Paris: Monum, 2001.
Maillard, Élisa. Les Sculptures de la cathédrale de Poitiers. Poitiers, 1921 (pp. 115–22).
Rhein, André. “Poitiers, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.” Congrés archéologique 79 (1912) (see p. 264).
4. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
“Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers.” Wikipedia.
“An Unusual Visit from India.” Poitiers History Walks.
Entry created by Tony Burke, York University, 17 May 2024.