Medieval Narrative Capitals in the Basilique Ste-Madeleine, Vezelay

Basilique Ste-Madeleine, Vézelay - West Burgundy

Vézelay's Medieval Narrative Capitals

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The story of Vézelay and photos from our 2004 visit there

Photos from 2007 - main page

Vézelay's Tympanums and Narthex Sculptures

Vézelay's Medieval Narrative Capitals (this page)

Labours of the Month and Signs of the Zodiac

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Basilique Ste-Madeleine, Vezelay, Nave

Basilique Ste-Madeleine, Vézelay - the light-filled nave of the Basilica - there are 138 narrative capitals at the bases of the roof arches, the bases of the aisle arches and in the narthex. 130 of the capitals are originals, the eight others being copies of originals made in the 1800s restoration.

Basilique Ste-Madeleine, Vezelay, South Aisle

Walking through the south west door into the south aisle and a sea of capitals, including (third from left and below) "The Mystic Mill". This photo faces east, and was taken around mid-day on 10 September 2007, just before the 22 September Autumn Equinox. Notice the light pooling on the bases of the south nave columns.

The Mystic Mill - Moses (left) mills with Paul in the most famous of the 138 narrative capitals

"On the left, Moses pours grain into the mill. On the right, Saint Paul (on the south east corner of the capital) carefully collects the flour. The former stands in shadow, for he belongs to the Old Testament whereas the latter, belonging to the New Testament, stands in light. The mill is set in motion by a cross-shaped wheel slightly slanted so the light strikes it. The mill implicitly stands for Christ, the Light of the world, extracting the very substance of ancient law to release it into the fully renewed message of the New Testament. The abbot Suger had this theme represented on a stained glass window in the cathedral of Saint Denis near Paris." (Basilica guide and plan - Éditions Premier Chapitre)

Vezelay, Moses and Paul Milling, Capital

Vezelay, Adam and Eve Capital

Whilst higher up Eve contemplates doing something with an apple that she would later regret .......

and Noah discusses the weather forecast with his missus (link to the Ark in Autun)

Vezelay, David and Goliath Capital

3 act epic: left - little David gets ready to sling a stone at an overconfident Goliath (making a rude sign?); centre - David has to climb up on the vegetation to get high enough to cut off Goliath's stoned head; right (out of sight) - David walks off with the Giant's head slung over his shoulder.

Vezelay, Libra and Gemini Capital

Libra (Le Balance) - September 23 to October 23 - the face on the right belongs to one of the Gemini Twins who are hiding round the corner. This is the only Vézelay capital devoted to Zodiac signs, though of course there is a full set around the tympanum over the main door.

Vezelay, Siren Capital