Between 1429 and 1433, the cathedral chapter of Rouen proceeded to the modernization of the clerestory windows in the choir of the metropolitan church – paradoxically, by choosing architectural forms invented almost 200 years prior. The...
moreBetween 1429 and 1433, the cathedral chapter of Rouen proceeded to the modernization of the clerestory windows in the choir of the metropolitan church – paradoxically, by choosing architectural forms invented almost 200 years prior. The fabric accounts of the cathedral reveal the identity of most of those involved in the construction: the patrons, the architect, the glaziers as well as other craftsmen. Moreover, the accounts indicate the dates and the sums of the various operations. Supplementary written sources inform us about the personality of both the supervisor and the creative force behind the modernization, i. e. the master of works Jenson Salvart, as well as his titles and attributions, his other building activities and his travels. However, though rich, the textual sources only reveal some of the key aspects of this project. An examination of other works conceived by Salvart, some of which fortunately survive, will allow us to better understand the sort of model that he was asked to follow, the reasons for the choice of this particular model, and finally, the stylistic evolution or, more precisely, the variability of the architectural vocabulary employed by a late medieval master mason.
