Saint-Denis Basilica - (From left to right clockwise) Tombs of Bertrand Du Guesclin, Charles VI, Isabeau of Bavaria, Louis de Sancerre, Charles V the Wise, Jeanne de Bourbon (2010) - Catholic Stock Photo
About the Image:
This basilica, once a medieval abbey church, is now a cathedral that is historically and architecturally significant as it houses the first structure to utilize all the elements of Gothic architecture, completed in 1144.
The basilica also serves as a necropolis containing the tombs of French kings, stretching from the 10th century to Louis XVIII in the 19th century. It's a place of pilgrimage and has been integral to French royal history; for instance, Henry IV of France renounced his Protestant faith to become a Catholic here.
The tombs in the photograph include the effigies or "gisants" of notable figures such as Bertrand Du Guesclin, Charles VI, Isabeau de Bavaria, Louis de Sancerre, Charles V, and Jeanne de Bourbon. These effigies, which lie on raised bases, were part of the royal necropolis focus initiated by Abbot Odo Clement in the 13th century and are examples of the Rayonnant Gothic style. This style is characterized by minimizing wall area in favor of large stained glass windows, a stark contrast to the earlier Romanesque architecture.
