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Panel 05 - Christ blessing (Relocated)
Description:
A tantalising but problematic panel, especially given its loss of context. The obvious identification (given the cloud frills and apparent association with Pentecost images) is the Ascension. However, the more conventional depiction for that scene would be Christ's feet disappearing into the clouds, watched by his apostles below (e.g. at Chartres). This panel is far more reminiscent of the left hand (north) tympanum of the Portail Royale at Chartres, which some have seen rather as the coming of Christ, still concealed from the world by the clouds but advertised to the prophets listening below by the singing angels in the adjoining panels.