Over-window panels 1758 - 1771

These over-window panels, created by Jacques Germain Soufflot, present a study in neoclassical restraint and elegance. The composition's symmetry immediately strikes the eye, with acanthus leaf ornaments flanking a series of stylized ribbon motifs. The horizontal orientation of the panels encourages the eye to glide smoothly from one end to the other, underscoring a sense of balance and order. Soufflot’s choice to repeat the ribbon pattern introduces a rhythmic quality, which speaks to the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and harmony. The very absence of vivid color directs our attention to the subtle play of light and shadow across the surface, enhancing the three-dimensionality of the carved details. This calculated simplicity is not merely decorative; it embodies a philosophical shift away from the exuberance of the Baroque toward a more intellectual and measured aesthetic. In their understated elegance, these panels offer a glimpse into the mindset of an era that sought to redefine beauty through the lens of logic.