Images of Medieval Art and Architecture

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



Peoples on Tympanum of Central Portal in Narthex


Tympanum- Left  Side

Lowest Compartment -  Men writing
Perhaps Apostles. Note their bare feet.

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Second  Lowest Compartment
Perhaps the Jews .The man at left wears a 
conical hat reminiscent of the "Jewish cap" 
often used to signify Judiasm in medieval art
Notice long sleeve of the figure to the left 

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Second Compartment from top
Right male/female Siamese twins

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TopCompartment 
Right: Dog headed people

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Tympanum- Right  Side

Topmost Compartment 

Right- Figures with the snouts of pigs

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Second  Compartment from top
Figure with a beard, leaning on a crutch or cane, between two 
beardless figures

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Second Compartment from bottom

Two bearded figures seem to hold a discussion. The one to the right 
holds what may be a spear

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Bottom Compartment 

Note that figures are wearing clogs on their feet

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Lintel- Left  Side

Left Side 
 
 

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Middle section
Perhaps

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Right side

Perhaps a Roman or Greek sacrificial procession

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Lintel- Right  Side

Left Side
Figures with shields?

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Middle section

A man mounts a horse with a ladder-
Perhaps a pygmy

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Right side 
At right figures with Elephant ears

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RETURN TO


VEZELAY
PORTAL MAP

VÉZELAY

FRANCE

INTRODUCTION


Created by G. David Donahue, July 1997
Updated by Jane Vadnal, December, 1997