Title of Work
Nave Capital 60: An Execution (of the Murderer of Saul?)
Begin Date
1120
End Date
1138
Description
On the right, a figure is seated on a chair? (stool?). He is wearing a headdress (a crown?) He raises his right hand to his face and raises the other, pointing his forefinger to the central scene. Some scholars have seen this as the gesture which orders the killing of the central figure. On the right, the executioner holds the hair of the accused in his right hands, and with his left hand, raises his sword. In the center, a figure clad in chain mail leans forward as his hair is pulled and grasps the border of his executioner's garment, either in resistance or in entreaty for mercy. Most scholars, including Salet, identify this capital as the execution of the murderer of Saul (II Samuel 1:5-16) Others see it as the execution of Agag, king of the Amalekites. Saul had spared Agag though God had ordered him slain. The prophet Samuel reproved Saul for this, and Agag was delivered to Samuel, who slew him. (I Samuel XV). Salet Capital number 60 Location: North side of nave, east side of seventh arcade pier
Country
France
Location
Vézelay
Monument
Ste. Marie-Madeleine
Style
Romanesque
Type of Work
Sculpture
Subtype of Work
Capital
Category of Work
Nave
Material
Stone
Subjects
Vézelay (Abbey)--Pictorial works.; Sculpture--France--Vézelay--Pictorial works.; Church architecture--France--Vézelay--Pictorial works.; Architecture, Romanesque--France--Vézelay--Pictorial works.
Patron
Abbot Renaud de Semur
Condition
Somewhat restored
Bibliography
Photographer
JV
Copyright
Media
Slide-35 mm
Identifier
FVEZ.CAPITAL.NAVE.N060.1

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

Nave Capital 60: An Execution (of the Murderer of Saul?)

(FVEZ.CAPITAL.NAVE.N060.1)
size