In September, 1914, several of the great statues of the lateral splayings were completely destroyed and the others more or less seriously damaged. However, subsequent damage was slight, thanks to the protective measures taken in 1915.
Central Door
The lavish decoration of the central door suffered mutilations during the last three centuries. The inscription carved on the lintel dates from 1802 and replaced carving descriptive of the life of the Virgin, destroyed during the Revolution. The sculpture on the arches, especially that of the three upper lines, was partly restored in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The beautiful statues in the splayings of the door represent: to the right (photo, p. [36]), the Annunciation and Visitation (the latter group is striking by reason of its inspiration from the antique); to the left, the Purification (photo, p. [36]).
The Virgin of the Annunciation group was damaged by shell splinters on September 4, 1914.
CENTRAL DOOR OF THE WEST FRONT BEFORE THE WAR (Cliché LL.)
The Annunciation. The Visitation.
RIGHT-HAND SPLAYING OF CENTRAL DOOR