Nave Capital 24: St Martin and the pagans sacred tree

1120-1138

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• Order Reproduction
• Title
• Nave Capital 24: St Martin and the pagans sacred tree
• Creator
• Vadnal, Jane
• Contributor
• Abbot Renaud de Semur (contributor)
  University of Pittsburgh (depositor)
• Contributor
• Abbot Renaud de Semur
• Date
• 1120-1138
• Identifier
• FVEZ.CAPITAL.NAVE.N026.4
• Description
• Saint Martin of Tours and the Pagans' Sacred Tree At the center of the front on the capital is a tree with arching branches and foliage. To the right of the stands a barefoot figure wearing a short garment and holding an upraised ax, At right is a tonsured figure wearing a chasuble and carrying a crosier. He gestures toward the figure holding the ax- pointing upwards with his index and middle fingers (in admonition? Making the sign of the Cross?) On the left side of the capital are two figures gesturing toward the main scene. Both have long hair, wear a cloak-like garment over a short tunic, and carry a large, round, flat object. The one of the right wears a round cap-like headdress with a decorated border. He turns his head back to look at his companion and points toward the central scene with his left hand. Some scholars have suggested that this is the Chief Priest of the pagans. Most scholars identify this scene as Saint Martin of Tours and the Pagans' Sacred Tree. Martin, and early bishop in Gaul, pulled down many pagan temples and sacred trees. In one instance, the pagan offered to cut down the tree themselves if Martin would stand under the place where it would fall. As it was about to fall on him, he made the sign of the cross, and the tree fell in the other direction. Salet: Number 27 Location: South side of nave. East side of fifth arcade pier from the west.; Romanesque; Somewhat restored
• Type
• still image
• Genre
• photographs
• Subject
• Vézelay (Abbey)--Pictorial works.
  Sculpture--France--Vézelay--Pictorial works.
  Church architecture--France--Vézelay--Pictorial works.
  Architecture, Romanesque--France--Vézelay--Pictorial works.
• Geographic Subjects
• Vézelay
  Ste. Marie-Madeleine
  France
• Collection
• Vézelay: Benedictine Abbey of Sainte Marie Madeleine
• Contributor
• University of Pittsburgh
• Rights Information
• In Copyright. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
  http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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