The Calvary of Plougastel-Daoulas in the arrondissement of Brest comprises a raised octagonal pedestal made from the yellow granite of Logonna-Dāaoulas, flanked by four thick arched buttresses.
[2] Below the top of the pedestal and running around it is a moulded cornice on which are placed a further series of statues carved from the bluish stone from Kersanton.
In total, there are 182 statues carved from Kersanton stone which are placed in groups to form 28 tableaux depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
The Breton legend "Katell Kollet" features in one tableau when she is shown as one of those unfortunate souls writhing in the mouth of hell.
John D. Skilton,[4] an Army Officer and a curator at the Washington Museum in civilian life, was in Plougastel-Daoulas at the time of the bombing, saw the damage done and resolved to restore the Calvary.
On the southern side the scenes deal with Passover, (the "Last supper"), Jesus' washing of Peter's feet and the "chemin de croix" (the path to Calvary).
It is dominated by a depiction of the resurrected Christ which is placed above a large arch with pillars on either side in which there is a form of altar.
This arch interrupts and divides the cornice and to the left of this part of the Calvary there is a stairway leading up to the pedestal's platform.
On the left-hand side of the arch, after a statue of a bishop and Saint John and his attribute the eagle on the buttress, we have a scene showing Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
Along the cornice beneath these figures, and from left to right, the scenes deal with the Last Supper and Saint Peter washing Christ's feet watched by the other disciples.
On the eastern cornice and after the buttress with the niche containing the depiction of Saint Matthew, we start with the Virgin of the Annunciation kneeling in prayer.
Then we see the "Mise au tombeau"; Jesus being prepared for burial, with Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Cleophas and Gamaliel in attendance.
Next the crown of thorns is pressed on to Christ's head whilst at his feet, a soldier taps him with a reed.
[6] On the space over the north east buttress, we see Jesus being mocked and ridiculed by five guards ("Christ aux outrages").
Dismas, the good thief, hangs from a cross to the right of Jesus and an angel stands near his right shoulder ready to carry off his soul.
The bad thief hangs on the cross to Jesus' left and in his case it is the devil who will carry off his soul.
Both the angel and the devil clutch small doll like sculptures no doubt depictions of the souls they will eventually carry off.
The Calvary at Plougastel-Daoulas seen from the eastern side. In the centre of the pedestal's upper surface, Christ is being prepared for burial (the "mise au tombeau") with
Nicodemus
,
Joseph of Arimathea
, Mary Cléophas and
Gamaliel
in attendance. A man stands holding a linen shroud. The
Virgin Mary
, disturbed by what she sees before her, is being supported by
John the Apostle
and
Mary Magdalene
holds her pot of oil. On the left of the "mise au tombeau" we see the Angel of the Annunciation followed by Jesus being baptized. Then to the right of the "mise au tombeau" we see a soldier and a Jew following Jesus into the presence of a High Priest. On the cornice below we can see from left to right the Angel of the
Annunciation
knelt at a
prie dieu
, the
Visitation (Christianity)
, Mary and Joseph's marriage, the
Nativity of Jesus
, Jesus' circumcision and the flight into Egypt. Note the two arched buttresses with
Matthew the Apostle
and his angel on the left side buttress and
Mark the Evangelist
and his lion on the right side buttress. We are seeing the reverse side of the three crosses
The mouth of hell has already taken several lost souls as Jesus leads away two that he has rescued
The three wise men present their gifts with Mary and Joseph looking on. The two cattle remind us that the birth has taken place in a stable
Jesus is led before Pontius Pilate by a soldier. Pilate is asking questions as shown by the fact that he touches his thumb with his left index finger. On the left is the devil himself and next to the soldier the figure of Jesus without the crown of thorns. The image of the devil and of Jesus are best seen as apparitions looking in on the scene of Jesus before Pontius Pilate
The devil himself
View of the Calvary. To the left of the buttress bearing the depiction of Saint Matthew we see depictions of Jesus' journey to Calvary carrying the cross and on the cornice below the Last Supper and the washing of Jesus' feet. On the right of the buttress, we see the "Mise au tombeau" preceded by John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, with an angel in attendance who is holding Jesus' robe, followed by Jesus being brought before the High Priest. Along the cornice we see the Annunciation with the Virgin Mary sat at a prie-dieu, the visitation, the marriage of Mary and Joseph, the circumcision, the flight to Egypt and the Archangel Gabriel, the Angel of the Annunciation
Christ is shown carrying the Cross
A soldier taps Jesus on the chest with a reed, the reed he will eventually hold in his right hand
Jesus sits on a stool awaiting his flogging. He is bound and blindfolded. The soldiers mock him and one kneels in front of Jesus and makes fun of him. Two have raised hands with which they will hit Jesus who is blindfolded so is teased by the soldier on his kness who asks "who hit you?"
The Pieta. The Virgin Mary holds the body of her dead son whilst
Mary Magdalene
stands with her pot of ointment
