Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: style poitevin

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Here is a more detailed view on that frieze. Seen are the "Visitation", the "Nativity" and the "First Bath", watched by Joseph in his typical posture, his head is resting on his hand. Mary in childbed, ox and ass are seen over the crib. Baby Jesus smiles in the tub. The architecture of Bethlehem (?) reminds on fortified place. Note the two ("Greco-Roman") wrestlers just under Joseph and a very strange beast next to them. Take a closer look to the piece of miniature architecture. For a while I thought, that this might stand for "Bethlehem", but it cannot. When it was created it was kind of very contemporary, as behind the protecting wall is a church - with a cross on the roof. Strange to see that next to the Nativity.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here is the right blind arch. The "storytelling" frieze, showing biblical episodes, that started on the left side continues. Here are "Visitation", the "Nativity" and the "First Bath", watched by Joseph on the right.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here is the central arch of the facade with wonderful archivolts and strange animals above. A tympanum is not part of the "style poitevin". Here a tympanum is carved over the wooden door. This may be added with the door in the 19th century, when the church got restored.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here are some details from the frieze over the left blind arch. To the very left are Adam and Eve chatting with the snake. The name of their neighbour is written behind him "NABUCADNOSOR REX" (aka "Nebuchadnezzar", "Nabuchodonosor"), probably dreaming in the sun. Following are four saints, probably the evangelists, two of them hold bibles. I cannot decipher the inscriptions. To the right a large angel talking to a saint. In the triangle below them is a very strange, frightening three-headed creature. Note the traces of colours near the angel.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here is the left blind arch. Under four (headless) apostles runs a "storytelling" frieze, showing biblical episodes.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". Seen here is the top tier, a richly-carved medallion of Christ in Glory (now headless), surmounted by the sun and moon and surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists. As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. I have visited Poitiers a couple of times - and spent hours in front of this church. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin".

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. In medieval times, the town prospered, and in the 12th century a large basilica-style church named "Saint-Médard-des-Champs" was erected just outside the city walls. Today this church is in the center of the town, that once was a stronghold of the Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Thouars lost about half of its population, as most of the Huguenots migrated. The facade of Saint-Médard is created in the late Romanesque "style poitevin". The facade got "heavily" renovated during the 1870s. Here are two of the facade´s capitals. The the left is a musician accompanied by devils, probably standing for profane (sinful) music. To the right a man, being caught by the ears by a bird and a dragon. I doubt, that these carvings date back to the 12th century. They are so smooth, mint and complete, compared to other parts of the facade. I have the impression that they were added during the renovation end of the 19th century.

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. In medieval times, the town prospered, and in the 12th century a large basilica-style church named "Saint-Médard-des-Champs" was erected just outside the city walls. Today this church is in the center of the town, that once was a stronghold of the Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Thouars lost about half of its population, as most of the Huguenots migrated. The facade of Saint-Médard is created in the late Romanesque "style poitevin". The facade got "heavily" renovated during the 1870s. Most of the archivolts and the corbels, seen here, are a result of that work. Above the entrance door are large statues of Christ, flanked by angels, that are weathered and/or vandalized. The design seems like a prototype of the The "gallery of the kings", often seen on Gothic cathedrals (eg Reims Cathedral, Notre-Dame de Paris).

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. In medieval times, the town prospered, and in the 12th century a large basilica-style church named "Saint-Médard-des-Champs" was erected just outside the city walls. Today this church is in the center of the town, that once was a stronghold of the Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Thouars lost about half of its population, as most of the Huguenots migrated. The facade of Saint-Médard is created in the late Romanesque "style poitevin", the rose-window was added within the 15th century, when the bell tower was erected. The facade got "heavily" renovated during the 1870s. Most of the archivolts are a result of that work. Above the entrance door are large statues of Christ, flanked by angels. To the sides apostles and prophets. The design seems like a prototype of the The "gallery of the kings", often seen on Gothic cathedrals (eg Reims Cathedral, Notre-Dame de Paris )

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. In medieval times, the town prospered, and in the 12th century a large basilica-style church named "Saint-Médard-des-Champs" was erected just outside the city walls. Today this church is in the center of the town, that once was a stronghold of the Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Thouars lost about half of its population, as most of the Huguenots migrated. The facade of Saint-Médard is an example of the late Romanesque "style poitevin", the rose-window was added within the 15th century, when the bell tower was erected. It got "heavily" renovated during the 19th century.