Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: face

The monastery was founded in 1200 by King Alfonso IX of León and King Berenguela of Castile by donating a place to the Cistercian Order for the construction of a monastery there. It was erected next to the pre-Romanesque church of San Salvador de Valdediós (see prev uploads). The construction of the church began in 1218 under the direction of the master Gualterius, possibly of Frankish origin, and was completed around 1225. The monastery became an important and well-endowed abbey. After a decline the monastery joined the Cistercian congregation in 1515. During the War of Independence, the monastery had to be abandoned from 1808 to 1812. It was dissolved in 1835, but some monks remained in the monastery, the last of whom died in 1862.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Some of them is really fantastic. A really breathtaking carving is just under this capital, decorated with a very symmetrical wave. There is a ring, going all around the pillar, consisting out of 21 human heads. All these 21 faces have a different look, a different facial expression. All have nimbuses, so to be seen here are 21 saints. The carving is so delicate, the composition is so perfect, that these faces seem to be younger, than the other carvings. The same impression, that I had, when I saw the huge figures sitting on the roof. But neither them, nor these are younger. This ring was carved probably before 1200. Even Robert Will was surprised. In "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) he points out, that these are the romanesque originals - and not "copies" done later. The mastercarver, who did this chain of faces, choose the seize of the heads to create exactly 21 faces for the whole circle. I think he choose 21, as this is 7 multliplied by 3. 3 (God) plus 4 (world). = 7 God + World x God. = 21 Well, that´s not more than a meager theory! Or - maybe - his wife just had her 21. birthday. That would be another theory.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Some of them is really fantastic. The ring, going all around the pillar, is consisting out of 21 human heads. All these 21 faces have a different look, a different facial expression. All have nimbuses, so to be seen here are 21 saints. The carving is so delicate, the composition is so perfect, that these faces seem to be younger, than the other carvings. The same impression, that I had, when I saw the huge figures sitting on the roof. But neither them, nor these are younger. This ring was carved probably before 1200. Even Robert Will was surprised. In "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) he points out, that these are the romanesque originals - and not "copies" done later. The mastercarver, who did this chain of faces, choose the seize of the heads to create exactly 21 faces for the whole circle. I think he choose 21, as this is 7 multliplied by 3. 3 (God) plus 4 (world). = 7 God + World x God. = 21 Well, that´s not more than a meager theory! Or - maybe - his wife just had her 21. birthday. That would be another theory.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located in the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added. Along the outer walls of the nave are medaillons and corbels in that rough style, that is typical for Corsica. There are so many of them, - I "glued" six faces together.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. The former convent of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph) is an ensemble of a Romanesque church from the late 12 century and the adjoining Capucin monastery founded in 1552 and erected from 1630 on. It was founded by Mariano de Nebbio, founder of the Capuchin province of Corsica. In 1796, the monks were expelled and the convent sold as national property. It is in the center of agricultural land with trees and shrubs. It was very much in ruins, when it was privately bought in the early 1970s and since then the owners are rebuilding and renovating the old structure. It seems to be an endless task. The owners were very friendly, let us in and showed us around. Merci beaucoupl The apse, just like the facade, has some strange, "minimalistic" carvings, like this smiling face.

The church is a former abbey church, built on a steep drop from 1050 on. It has an imposing portal with some rough (granite!) carvings. Here are two of the flanking capitals.

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head over one of the arches on the left tower. Obviously the collegue of the guy, whose head is over the neighbouring arch. As well - pretty sober. Just the head. Again there are these bulging eyes, so probably this is done by the same master carver, as the other more elaborated ones. While the collegue´s head, seen on the last photo, belonged to a corpulent person, this one seems to be more skinny. And, as most heads so far had a certain unique style in beards or hairdos, this one got a strange cut. According to mens-haircuts.net this is a kind of "Dolph Lundgren Flat Top". Talking about actors, the face and the haircut remind me - a bit - on Stan Laurel. While the corpulent guy next to him...

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head over one of the arches on the left tower. Pretty sober. Just the head. Again there are these bulging eyes, so probably this is done by the same master carver, as the other more elaborated ones. Most heads so far had a certain unique style in beards or hairdos. I have the impression, this guy wears a headband. See the next photo - and meet his collegue..

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Léger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. The heads of real giants are used here as bases for the columns. The two "big-heads" are staring over the brink down onto the visitor. The eye-balls are bulged out - and they will follow all moves on the ground. They will keep an eye on you. For sure. Be cautious. Little higher is a relief of a very different face with a pretty receding hairline. An egghead? Anyway, he has a long, plaited beard.

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head as the base for one of the pillars of the arcade-gallery. All heads of the gallery are carved probably by one master carver. All faces have these very specific eyes (often bulging out). This head is carved from a reddish sandstone. Again a "strong" gesture. Both hands up to the head. A gesture of surprise, maybe even of scare. It often translates to OMG ("Oh My God"). If this gesture is corresponds to that of the carved neighbour (cuckoo!), then this guy is just surprised, that the onlooker is such a stupid.

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. Up in the triangel are two carving depicting the "Holy Communion" and the "Sacrament of Penance". Below that are a number of arches. The capitels of the pillars are interesting, but not that special, but some of the bases are. This is the most "vibrant" of all the carvings seen in Murbach, from the same artist, whose work we saw before already. Here are two heads. The larger one in front consists out of a dynamique triangle. Here is not even a try to carve a "realistic" head. The head seen here can be compared to the sculptures european artists did in the early 20th century. There is a momentum of fast move, the lips and the chin are not centered under the nose, but "follow" this move of the head and seem to swing upwards. The sculpture juts out of the wall, and instead of a shoulder, the carver created a second, smaller head here. A bearded sober looking man, showing his teeth.

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are pretty extraordenary. Up in the triangel are two carving depicting the "Holy Communion" and the "Sacrament of Penance". below that trangel are a number of arches. The capitels of the pillars are interesting, but not that special, but some of the bases are very special. Here is a base, forming a kind of hat, under which a face is visible with really bulging eyes. The face seems to be very easy, very "graphical", like taken from a drawing. The left eye seems round, the right is more an ellipse. And he is chewing something.....He is clearly staring from above at the visitors, standing below him on the ground. Maybe he will - spit..

This church, dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, was a real surprise to me. The single nave structure was probably erected within the 12th century. It was built in a "walking distance" off the pilgrim routes (like "San Pedro de Echano"), as the hamlet Artaiz is just about 10kms north of the "Camino Aragonés". San Martin will have been for sure a stopover for pilgrims, who had visited the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours, following the "Via Turonensis". The portal of Saint Martin is extraordinary in the specific iconography, that in parts may reflect the relations to the Islamic neighbours (Reconquista). Here is a script by German arthistorian Hedda Finke about this subject. art.unt.edu/medieval-symposium/presenter.php?year=2009&am... Close to the very artful and complex capitals, just seen, next to the door, under the lintel is this bearded face. The face of the gatekeeper. It seems simple and kind of "abstract", but it is well composed. Nose and eyebrows form a crossbow.