What does the reliquary of Sainte Foy represent?
The reliquary at Conques held the remains of Saint Foy, a young Christian convert living in Roman-occupied France during the second century. At the age of twelve, she was condemned to die for her refusal to sacrifice to pagan gods, she is therefore revered as a martyr, as someone who dies for their faith.
What scene is depicted on the tympanum of the Conques church’s portal?
When a pilgrim arrived at Conques, they would probably head for the church to receive blessing. Yet before they got inside, an important message awaited them on the portals: the Last Judgment. This scene is depicted on the tympanum, the central semi-circular relief carving above the central portal.
How did the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy at Conques cater to its large pilgrim attendance?
Like most pilgrimage churches Conques is a basilica plan that has been modified into a cruciform plan. Galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. The western aisle was also added to allow for increased pilgrim traffic.
Where was the reliquary of Sainte Foy originally located?
Agen
The reliquary of Sainte Foy was originally located in a monastery in Agen. In the eighth century, a group of monks (who would later establish the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy) fled from Spain to Conques, France, hoping to escape from the Saracens (Arab Muslims).
Where is the last Judgement tympanum located?
The last piece examined is The Last Judgement Tympanum located in a portal on the West Façade of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France (University of Michigan)[1]. This Gothic sculpture stone was created between 1220-1240 (University of Michigan) [2].
Who created the Church of Sainte Foy?
The present Romanesque church construction started under the guidance of Abbot Odolric (1031-1065) on the setting of a 10th century basilica. The first campaigns of work concerned the lower parts of the apse and the minor apses, using the special red sandstone from Combret quarry in the Dourdou valley.
Who constructed the church of Sainte Foy?
Abbot Begon III
The cloister, without a doubt one of the most beautiful in southern France, was erected at the end of the 11th century by Abbot Begon III below the southern part of the church transept.
When was the abbey of Sainte Foy built?
A church had stood on the spot since the 600s; the Church of Sainte-Foy was built from 1050-1130.
Who made reliquary statue of Sainte?
Bernard of Angers
The date of the creation of the reliquary is unknown, but the first recording of it was in 1010 by Bernard of Angers. The reliquary is made of wood but gold-covered, and the statue is luxurious, with the gold and gemstones sparkling in the light.
What does the last Judgement tympanum portray?
On the tympanum of the west portal of the cathedral of Saint-Lazare, the Last Judgment is represented. It is dominated by the judging Christ in his aureole, which here assumes enormous dimensions (the height of the figure of Christ is 305 cm). To his right appear apostles, angels, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and Mary.
What era is the last Judgement tympanum of the west portal Cathedral of Saint Lazare?
Detail of the Last Judgment, from the west tympanum of the cathedral of Saint-Lazare, Autun, France, carved by Gislebertus before 1135.
What is the tympanum of the Last Judgment?
At the western gate, a deep barrel vault shelters the Tympanum of the Last Judgment, one of the masterpieces of Romanesque sculpture from the first half of the 12 th century.
What does Conques’ tympanum say about art?
The tympanum applies to all. One can easily imagine the pilgrims standing on the church square trying to decipher the scenes one by one. As a matter of fact, church art was the only art available to be contemplated by the multitude. Conques’ tympanum spoke directly to the people’s mind.
Is this the best preserved tympana in France?
This is one of the best preserved tympana in France, still crisp in detail and still blessed with a good deal of the original paint. In the center of the middle register a mandorla encloses the enthroned Christ.
Who established the first Oratory in Conques?
On the left the elect process to the throne: the Virgin Mary first, followed by St. Peter, then Dadon, the hermit who established the first oratory in Conques, a few meters away from this tympanum.