Final answer:
The Chartres Cathedral facade, built between 1145 and 1220, features an early Gothic design with small windows beside the central doorway and decorative sculptures from the School of Chartres. It includes the famous stained glass window Notre-Dame de la Belle-Verrière dating back to the 12th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chartres Cathedral Facade and Construction Period
The Chartres Cathedral facade is an exemplar of early Gothic architecture. Built in stages, the initial construction began around 1145, with significant work being done until around 1220.
The west facade of the cathedral, dating back to the mid-twelfth century, showcases small windows flanking the central doorway which is in stark contrast to the High Gothic thirteenth-century church like Amiens, which has large pierced portals and an emphasis on glass over masonry.
Notable features include the ornate sculpture adorning the west doorway, believed to be influenced by the School of Chartres.
Moreover, the cathedral is famous for the Notre-Dame de la Belle-Verrière, a stained glass window that dates back to the early Gothic period before the fire, the upper panels constructed around 1180 and the lower panels around 1225. The door jamb statues on the west facade also reflect the art of the same historical period.
The Chartres Cathedral's construction and facade details highlight the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architectural trends. The presence of structural elements like flying buttresses, pointed arches, and its array of intricate stained glass create a distinct and historically significant architectural appearance which has captivated visitors and scholars alike for centuries.