Chartres Cathedral's famous rose windows are represented in several places around La Maison Picassiette, but this, on the wall behind the summerhouse, is the largest. It is not a simple copy, however. Perhaps on this scale and at close quarters, the 12-point symmetry of the windows was not intricate enough. This version has 16-point symmetry. (The one on the floor of the courtyard outside the house has 32-point.) A little further on is the "wall of Jerusalem", which mirrors the "wall of Chartres" in the black courtyard. There is again a concrete chair on a raised area with small steps to it. Behind this is a panorama of the Holy City topped by a small cross.

Below Jerusalem are pictures of famous buildings - the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colossseum in Rome, amongst others - all in very fine detail.

Through an archway to the side of the wall is a large madonna within an eight-pointed star. The picture has been created with white and floral china, and dark glass. The reconstructed circle motif appears here again too. Behind the wall Isidore built a small enclosed shrine known as the "Spirit's Tomb", which is mainly blue in colour. Beyond that a gateway leads past a small, undecorated outbuilding and brings you to the front of the house. next (pictures of animals)

previous

back to list