Description
The tympanum of the south portal between the narthex and the nave contains scenes from the Infancy of Jesus . There are two registers- at the center of the lower register are the a scene of a building or a town and the Visitation
The leftmost scene in this picture is not easily identifable. It shows a town or building with two figures visible in its windows. To the right of this structure is a tall tower with a crenulated (?) top and three windows with rounded tops in the upper stories. Below is a rounded shape with fittings that suggests a door or gate. To the left of this tower is a lower structure with bottom area with a masonry pattern in front of which are foliage shapes. Above this is and area with two arched openings with the which are supported by columns. Visible within are two figures which are looking toward the Visitation. Above is a tiled roof.
Salet suggests that this might represent Zachariah at Hebron (Luke I, 5-25). It might also be an allusion to the monastery at Vézelay or to some other local event.
The Visitation (Luke I, 39-55) is shown as Mary and Elizabeth, both with halos, standing and facing one another. It is difficult to distinguish between them. The drapery of the skirt of the figure at right is agitated (suggesting motion? Perhaps John "leaping in his mother's womb"?).
To the right are parts of the Annunciation to the Sepherds and the Nativity.
Other search terms: New Testament, Gospel.
