Note 209 — CHARTRES.

“This image of the Druids is of a Moorish color, as are nearly all the others in the church of Chartres. We suppose this to have been done by the Druids and others who followed them, on the presumptive complexion of the oriental people, who are exposed more than we to the heat of the sun; for which reason the Spouse in the Canticle of Canticles says that the sun has discolored her, and that, although she is dark, she does not cease to be beautiful. Nevertheless, Nicephorus, who had seen several pictures of the Virgin taken by S. Luke from life, says that the color of her countenance was σιτοχρόε, or the color of wheat. This seems to mean the brown or chestnut color of wheat when ripe.”