Note 87 — Chapter I · 1619 to 1635.

See Malingre, Antiquités de la Ville de Paris, in-fol., Paris, 1640, pp. 152 and 153, also pp. 501 and 503, Nouveaux Mémoires concernant la maison des Carmélites; a few lines in the Histoire de la Ville de Paris of Felibien and of Lobineau, vol. ii., pp. 1268-1271, and some records in vol. iii. of the Preuves et Pièces justificatives, p. 144. Sauval contains but a page on the Carmelites, vol. i., p. 450. The best thing in regard to this convent is found in the Curiosités de Paris, 1771, vol. i., pp. 459-463. We take from it the following description of the church: “Although the main body of this church is very ancient, it is one of the best decorated in Paris. The great altar is formed of four marble columns, and is reached by twelve steps, very ingeniously placed, with a balustrade of marble. All the ornaments of this altar are of bronze gilded; the tabernacle, which represents the ark of the covenant, is all of silver; the bas-relief in front is highly wrought, and represents the Annunciation. Nothing is more sumptuous than this altar on feast-days. You then see a sun, bright with stones of great value, accompanied by candlesticks, vases, and other pieces of goldsmith’s ware, whose quantity equals its magnificence. The picture is by Guido, and represents the Annunciation.

“The choir is separated from the nave by four beautiful columns of sea-green marble, surmounted by flames of gilded bronze of wonderful beauty and size. The crucifix of bronze, which you see on the door, is one of the best and highly esteemed of the works of Sarrazin.

“The vault of the church, upon which numerous stories from the Holy Scriptures are represented, was painted by Champagne, through the liberality of Marie de Médicis. Observe in it an excellent piece of perspective, designed by Des Argues: it is a crucifix, with the Holy Virgin and St. John, so artistically painted by the same Champagne, that, on entering the church, they appear upon a perpendicular plane, although horizontal, which produces an agreeable and singular effect.

“Above the door of this church there is a beautiful gallery, containing statues of Saint Peter, of Saint Paul, and of Saint Michael overcoming the devil.

“All the chapels are magnificent: the most beautiful pictures and gildings adorn all parts of it; neatness and good taste reign throughout.

“The twelve pictures ornamented with gilded frames, which are placed under the windows, represent subjects drawn from the New Testament, and were painted by very skilful masters. The first, at the right on entering, represents the Resurrection of Lazarus; the second, The Circumcision of our Lord; the third, The Adoration of the Magi; the fourth, The Assumption of the Holy Virgin; the fifth, The Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles; the sixth, The Birth of our Lord. These six pictures were also painted by the celebrated Champagne, and are very highly esteemed. On the other side, the first represents the Miracle of the Five Loaves, by Stella; the second, The Madeline at the feet of our Lord, at the house of Simon the Pharisee—it is one of the finest works of the famous Le Brun; the third, The Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, by La Hire; the fourth, Christ at the side of Jacob’s well, talking with the Samaritan woman, by Stella; the fifth, Christ served in the Desert by Angels—this is also by Le Brun; the sixth, The Appearance of our Lord to the three Marys, by La Hire.

“Opposite to the choir of the nuns, observe the great picture representing the Annunciation; it is an excellent work by Guido, who painted it for Queen Marie de Médicis.

“Look afterwards at the chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine; it is one of the most ornamented. You will there see the statue of Cardinal de Bérulle, made in marble by Sarrazin, in 1657; it is raised upon a marble pedestal, upon which are excellent bas-reliefs, by Lestocart, a famous sculptor. These bas-reliefs represent the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and that also performed by Noah, when he left the ark. You will also see in this chapel, all covered with pictures, one of the most perfect paintings ever produced by the famous Le Brun; it represents the Penitent Madeleine. Grief and repentance are so vividly expressed in this, and the skill of the excellent master so well proved by all the accompaniments, that you can find nothing more finished and more perfect. The life of this saint is represented in the wainscot of this beautiful chapel.”