Title of Work
Nave Capital 53: Death of Absalom
Begin Date
1120
End Date
1138
Description
The subject is the Old Testament story of the death of Absalom, the son of King David. (II Samuel XVIII 9-15). Absalom had lead a revolt against his father. While fleeing after a battle where he was defeated by his father's forces, he caught his hair in a tree branch. His horse continued on without him. Jaob found Absalom hanging form the tree and killed him. On the left side of the capital, Joab cuts off Absolam's head (not visible in this image) On the front face of the capital, Absalom hangs by his hair from a tree (at left) while his mount continues on without him. (at right). Absalom has very long hair, the front of which is twisted in the foliage of a tree whose trunk is in the center of the capital's face. Absalom's mount (a horse? A mule?) has an empty saddle and bridle as it proceeds on. On the right side of the capital one of Absalom's companions looks back on the scene. He is also mounted on a horse or mule, which continues forward. The young man holds the reigns in his left hand and raises the index finger of his right hand Salet: Number 53. Location: North side of nave. North side of fifth 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.N053.2

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

Nave Capital 53: Death of Absalom

(FVEZ.CAPITAL.NAVE.N053.2)
size