Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: kissing couple

Not much is known about this church. Some scholars date the building mid 11th, most mid 12th century. It may have been built by the Knights Templar, but there is no document about it. It is a small Romanesque basilica, erected on a "Latin Cross" blueprint. Within the 19th century the church was modified. There are larger windows now and a roof, that now stretches over nave and the two aisles. This seems a little "strange". There is a grimacing huge man, who is naked. His testicles seem to hang down to his knees. On the right a kissing couple. Man on the left, woman (long skirt) on the right. Does the naked hulk stand for (sinful) lust, that may arouse, when the couple continues?

Saint-Pardoux was erected in the second half of the 12th century as a church for a priory, dependent from the Benedictine Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes. The single-nave church got enlarged later and restored/rebuilt in the 19th century. It is claimed, that the facade is inspired by the construction of the cathedral of Angouleme. I do not see a strong influence. The carvings of the facade and all around the apse are very elaborate and come from very skilled and experienced workshops. Compared to the exterior splendor, the interior of Saint-Pardoux is simple and sober. The sculpted capitals here differ from the works outside. The capitals are pretty rough. It seems, that the Benedictines spent all the funds for the exterior decoration, when the church was built, so they did not employ a skilled artist here. The topics differ as well - and seem a bit inadequate for a priory. The previous upload had a scene, that could be described as "sexual harassment". Here is a kissing couple - and a female raising her arms (in despair? taken alarm?). The couple is sitting. Note the small leg of the kissing warrior (helmet).