Offering of a Church to a Saint Burgundy, late 12th century

A church's offering
to a 
 Saint
Burgundy, end of 12th century
Mural
H. 0.50
Charlieu abbey
Attributed in 1884
Cl. 22601

Romanesque architecture lent itself particularly well to the display of vast painted cycles which covered large, blank walls. At the end of the 12th century, the Charlieu monastery's refectory in Burgundy received a painting in which a majestic Christ, flanked by the symbols of the Evangelists, rose above the apostles and prophets, as well as the abbey's saints and protectors. This item disappeared with the construction of the 19th century, but fragments of it were delivered to the museum. Among these is a crowned personage offering a church to a saint. It is thought to be an allusion to the gifts offered in 879 by King Boson to the new monastery, represented by one of its patrons, Saint Stephen or Saint Fortunate, disciple of Saint Irene, who was martyrised in the 3rd century.