distinguished by an aristocratic outlook opposed to the emergence of the enterprising
bourgeoisie. Élie, a true adventure romance by a different poet, combines contemporary
chivalric preoccupations with folklore and fantasy.
Bernard Guidot
Normand, Jacques, and Gaston Raynaud, eds. Aiol Paris: Didot, 1877.
Raynaud, Gaston, ed.Élie de Saint-Gille. Paris: Didot, 1879.
SAINT-GILLES-DU-GARD
. The largest exterior ensemble of Romanesque sculpture is the façade of Saint-Gilles-
duGard (Gard). The superstructure of the façade was destroyed during the religious wars
in the 16th century. Because of the presence of many Roman monuments, Provençal
Romanesque architecture and sculpture both exhibit strong Roman influences. The design
of the Saint-Gilles portals resembles both Roman triumphal arches and procenia of
theaters.
The three portals of Saint-Gilles depict major events in the life of Christ. Twelve
larger-than-life Apostles flank the central portal. The Virgin and Child adored by the
Magi occupy the left tympanum, and the Entry into Jerusalem decorates the frieze and
lintel. The upper frieze to the left of the central portal contains such scenes as Christ
Cleansing the Temple and the Raising of Lazarus. The central tympanum, now modern,
may have depicted the Last Judgment above the damaged Last Supper on the lintel. The
frieze continues to the right, with Christ being led before Pilate, undergoing the
Flagellation, and Carrying the Cross. The final scenes of Christ’s Passion are located on
the right portal; the Crucifixion is in the tympanum, and the Holy Women buying
perfume and the Angel appearing to the Holy Women after the Resurrection are on the
lintel.
The iconographic programming of the façade was controlled by the clergy. The
depiction of the Crucifixion, a rare subject to appear in a tympanum, reflects the strong
stand taken by the clergy against a heretical sect led by Peter de Bruys, who had denied
the validity of the Mass and the need for church structures. To emphasize his feelings, he
and colleagues stole the wooden crosses from Saint-Gilles, and on Good Friday they
roasted pork in front of the abbey over a fire made of the crosses. A few days later, Peter
and his companions were burned as heretics on the same spot. This event, which took
place ca. 1136, did not
The Encyclopedia 1587