The choir of Notre-Dame de Paris’ cathedral is isolated from the other areas. Until the 19th century, a stone wall called “rood screen” separated it from the nave where the faithful took their seats. This offered more comfort and intimacy to the canons for their daily prayers.
On the north and south sides, the medieval choir screen remains. These two walls, made of sculpted and painted stone, both decorated the edifice and told the story of the Bible in an instructive way. In fact, in the Middle Ages, few of the faithful could read.
On the north side, the choir screen depicts the main scenes of Jesus’ life, from the Nativity to the the Garden of Gethsemane. On the south side, as shown on the picture, are the apparitions of resurrected Christ. The whole choir screen was originally completed by an eastern panel, closing the choir. Destroyed in the 17th century, it depicted the Passion scenes.