Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Ste-Marie-Madeleine

The adoration of the Magi. St. Mary holds the child, sitting on a chair. Her face and the childs face are destroyed. Behind them is a large nimbs. The three Magi standing on the left. All bodies (very slim and long) are placed on top of two creatures. The left seems to be a bull or ox (hoofs and horns), the right could be a lion (mane). Around this central group are five angels. Four of them blow horns (oliphants?), one tall angel stands behind Mary and is writing into a book. The round flowerlike carving left to the nimbus may be the star that led the Magi. The lintel depicts Adam and Eve on the left, followed by "The Meal at the House of Simon the Pharisee", as only there Marie-Madeleine wipes Jesus' feet with her hair. Though the disciples have different looks and gestures, the legs, the feet and even the pleats of the garments below the table - are nearly identical.

Adam and Eve, a scene from the lintel (left side). The style of the carvings in Neuilly-en-Donjon is disputed (see Raymond Oursel). I have the impression, that it is delicate, but somehow "simplified" in many details. Aside from the carving-style there are more details here: slim and longlegged Adam and Eve wear underpants - and Eve has a navel. Adam has his right hand under his chin - thinking about Eve´s offer. His (missing) left hand holds apple, while Eve is already picking a second one. The snake behind shows a grim smile.

The church Ste-Marie-Madeleine belonged to the former priory de Marcigny. Here the very extraordenary and spectacular portal of the otherwise humble building. Compared to the other romanesque carvings of the Brionnaise, this is very delicate and thematically very chaotic, as it shows different scenes, that seem not be connected to each other. The tympanon depicts St. Mary, the child and the Three Magis, standing on two phantastic animals, and flanked by four angels, blowing giant horns. The lintel below depicts Adam and Eve to the right and the last supper. See the other photos for more details.

The right capital flanking the lintel depicts a scene from the "Book of Daniel". 14,33 And the angel of the Lord said to Habacuc: Carry the dinner which you have into Babylon, to Daniel, who is in the lions' den. 14,34 And Habacuc said: Lord, I never saw Babylon, nor do I know the den. 14,35 And the angel of the Lord took him by the top of his head, and carried him by the hair of his head, and set him in Babylon, over the den, in the force of his spirit. 14,36 And Habacuc cried, saying: O Daniel, you servant of God, take the dinner that God has sent you.