Images of Medieval Art and Architecture

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

Nave: Historiated Capital
Unknown

Images

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Subject Matter

At center, a seated bishop or abbot holds a crozier in his right hand while he makes a gesture of assent or benediction with his left. On either side, three male figures seem to address the central figure or each other. Scholars have suggested that this might have been a reference to an historical event associated with the abbey.