IMAGES OF MEDIEVAL ART AND ARCHITECTURE

FRANCE: ABBEY OF SAINT-DENIS

West Facade: South Portal

Tympanum

General Views

Screen-sized Version. Large "Archive Version."

Screen-sized Version.

Subject Matter

Christ administers the Eucharist to Saint Denis and his companions on the eve of the Martyrdom.
To the left of the central scene: Larcia, who denounced them to the Roman Prefect and was later converted: Two executioners
To the right of the central scene: the Roman Counsel Fescinius (or Sisinnius) and attendant.

Inner Archivolt:

• bottom: Executioners
• middle: Saint Denis to the Right and his companions to the Left
• top: Descending Angel holding the crown of martyrdom

Outer Archivolt: God the Father and angels

Restoration Diagram

Key

• Green: nineteenth century inserts
• Yellow: recut areas
• Red: mortar fill
• Gray: original

Restoration diagram adapted by kind permission of the author from Pamela Z. Blum, "The Lateral Portals of the West Facade of the Abbey Church of Saint Denis", in Paula Gerson, ed. Abbot Suger and Saint-Denis: A Symposium (New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1986), fig. 9. Copyright The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

RIGHT PORTAL MAIN PAGE	WEST PORTALS MAIN PAGE	ST. DENIS MAIN PAGE	FRANCE	INTRODUCTION

Last updated by:JV Date: November 29, 2006