Le portail Saint-Étienne de la cathédrale de Meaux et son prototype parisien : un « copier-coller »

Abstract

In the history of art, the portal of the south façade of the Cathedral of Meaux represents a special case. It is a direct copy of the portal of the south façade of the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, which was constructed a few years earlier. Precise measurements made with a laser scanner and analyses made from a scaffolding installed expressly for the measuring clarified the process of conception and construction of the two portals. The article shows that drawings were used to make the copy in Meaux. This engendered misunderstandings and errors when the portal was erected. At the same time, differences in the cutting of the stones generated other modifications, leading to the conclusion that the draftsman and sculptor collaborated closely.