Description
The bell of the capital contains two symbolic figures surrounded by large, foliate shapes. To the left, is Despair, plunging a sword into its own body. This nude figure has a large, round head with prominent eyes and an open mount with a protruding tongue. It has vigorously carved hair, (flames? In other Vézelay capitals this sort of hair appears on demons) The body of the figure is contorted- thought its head and shoulders face right, its abdomen and legs face left. It appears to have a small tail - perhaps an allusion to the classical faun. The sword is has a large, round pommel and is held at shoulder level with both hands, as it plunges diagonally downwards into the figure's mid-section.
To the right is a nude female figure being bitten by serpents that has been variously identified as Luxury, Lust, and Vice. The figure faces to the right. It has a large head with a down turned mouth, surmounted by four large round shapes (hair?) The arms of the figure are pulling downwards in its breasts, which are elongated (being bitten by serpents?) A serpent's head is on the figure's abdomen (biting it?); its body hangs down to the ground, twining between her legs.
Salet suggests this subject is inspired by Saint Augustine, who wrote about luxury (or lust) leading to despair
Alternate search terms (See text above for synonyms): devil, snake, naked
