Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: archivolts

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The basilica-style church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Size and the quality of some of them are really breathtaking. There are different artistisc styles. I seems like four master-carvers were given a chance here, to show their talents and so they used this as a showcase. The side portal of the church. The tympanon over the two doors got lost over the centuries. The rows of archivolts under the arch still exist. The portal is flanked by two different, masterly carved pillars with unique capitals, seen on the next photo.

The construction of the church Saint-Léger (= Leodegar, Ludger) in Guebwiller started in 1182 and took about 100 years. The building, built from red local sandstone, is pretty huge and the style is between late romanesque and early gothic. The most interesting point I found is, that the architects of this church obviously spent a lot of time in Rosheim, studying the church Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, that is only about 30 years older. There are details in Rosheim, copied here. But the masters working here, never reached the elegant style seen in Rosheim. The main portal under the arches of the westwork like façade. The pillars are very well and delicately carved, as well as the wall behind, covered with geometrical floral patterns. But the heads under the lintel - and the tympanum itself seem a bit clumsy. There is a very small face on top of the archivolts. Is this a self-portait of the carver?