Description:

This antique black and white print is part of the study book of Medieval Architecture and Art - Volume I. It features one of the 100 plates from Volume I, containing work drawings of principal monuments of the Middle Ages by Thomas H. King, Bruges for London Bell Daldy in 1857. The purpose of these architectural plates is to provide insights into the architectural styles, techniques, and artistic influences of the medieval period. Specifically, this drawing depicts  the north transept door way of a church built in 1065 in Semur, France, by Robert I, a leader from Burgundy.

History of the Church in the print:

        This church was built by Robert I. He did it to say sorry for a murder he did. The full story of Robert’s murder and his redemption is depicted in the tympanum shown on the first half of the print.  The original church was repaired and rebuilt in 13th century. The stories about why it was built were preserved through sculptures, pillars and tympanum of the north transept door of the new structure of the church.

           Robert killed Dalmatius at a feast by giving him poison. Dalmatius, of Semur was his father in law. Robert felt bad afterward and did nice things to make up for it. His wife, Hélie, was sad about her dad dying. Robert went on a trip to Rome for forgiveness and then built the church.

The pattern on the tympanum explained;

Lower most tier of the tympanum;

1. Robert poisons his father-in-law at a feast, depicted in the lower tympanum's right corner. The downward figure symbolizes the effect of the poison, while a dog running with a glove portrays treachery.
2. Three figures beside the feasting group represent Robert's remorse, shown by him beating his breast, accompanied by a monk and a doctor of divinity.
3. Following this, Robert is depicted giving alms as an act of atonement for his crime.
4. On the left side, Hélie mourns her father's death in the castle, while Robert receives counsel from a priest outside.

Middle tier of tympanum;

The second tier depicts the murderer's journey to Rome, his return with the pope's pardon, and the church's construction.

First tier of tympanum;

      On the top most tier there's figure of Jesus with angels.

The top arch of tympanum;

           In the arch are a series of twelve subjects, representing the twelve months of the year: 1. Feasting 2. Warming at the fire 3. The birds beginning their nests 4. Pruning the vines 5. Going to the country 6. Sowing 7. Harvest 8. Thrashing 9. Gathering the grapes 10. Making wine meat for winter use 12. Closing the gates

Check out the link below for more on these medieval architectural work drawings, including their history and detailed images of the original cathedrals from France and Germany.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Product Details:

SKUID: PPE0016

Product Name: Medieval Architecture & Art-Semur-Plate 5 (North transept door way) PG - 54

Type: Antique steel engraving print

Artist: Thomas H. King

Publisher: London Bell Daldy, London

Printed By: Richard Clay, Bread Street Hill, London.

Dimensions: 

Frame: 16” x 12” x .75”; Print: 13” x 9.5”

Age: from 1857

Provenance: London

Frame: Frame may differ. Black matted and made of Teakwood. And it has an acrylic protection in place of glass.Dimensions: 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shipping:

We ship all over India and overseas.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Return Policy:

No returns or Exchanges
Please do check the dimensions before you buy.