Images of Medieval Art and Architecture

France: Vézelay
Benedictine Abbey Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine

Nave: Historiated Capital
Lust and Despair


Images

Center

Right Side

Click here for a screen-sized image

Click here for a large "Archive Image"

Click here for a screen sized image.

Click here for a large "Archive Image"


Subject Matter

Lust and Despair:


To the left, Despair, an open-mouthed demon with burning hair, plunges a sword into his own stomach.
To the right punishment of lust- a nude woman being bitten by serpents.


Placement within Floorplan Placement in Elevation

Salet: Number 15-Lust and Despair:

South side of nave.

South side of second arcade piller.


From middle of nave looking south.


Related Material

Click here to see other Vézelay capitals with symbolic subject matter

Click here to see a similar subject from a frieze in Moissac.


Bibliography

Salet, p. 183.


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INTRODUCTION


Created by J. Vadnal, August, 1998