Faucheur

This item comes from the north portal of the west facadeof Notre Dame de Paris (called the Virgin’s portal). The Reaper represents the farmer’s work for the month of July, while the work for the month of August is represented by the Harvester. There is featured a composition centred on the enthroned Virgin with Child which embodies the origin of life – life which is above all of a spiritual order because it gives life to Christ. On either side is a vision of natural life cycles through which man can achieve harmony through his daily work. Beyond the scenes of the farmer sharpening his scythe or of the reaper returning from the fields, it is work as a way of access to the sacred which is idealised. With an economy of means, the artist has managed to give to the farmer a certain form of serenity in his expression.