Saint-Étienne-du-Mont: Detail of one stair of the rood screen and side passage

Date

Circa 1910

The church possesses a remarkable early-16th-century rood screen. Dramatically crossing the nave like a bridge with spiral staircases on either side, it is unique in Paris. Flamboyant refers to the last phase of French Gothic architecture, from about 1370 to the 16th century, as described by antiquarian Arcisse de Caumont (1802-1873). The style is characterized by an intensification and evolution of trends in advanced Rayonnant, including the use of leaner, lighter, frailer structures, the abolition of capitals, the addition of subsidiary ribs to form star-like patterns in the vaults, wider arcades with occasionally flattened curves, tracery in which reverse curves are opposed to create a flame-like shape, and pattern that is applied more extensively to the exterior of the structure. The church possesses a remarkable early-16th-century rood screen. Dramatically crossing the nave like a bridge with spiral staircases on either side, it is unique in Paris.