Unknown artist, French

The rounded, heavy appearance of this stone portal is typical of early medieval Romanesque style, which was adapted from ancient Roman architecture. This example is composed of three set-back arches resting on a sequence of engaged columns. The tops of the columns (capitals) are decorated with palm fronds, stars, ribbons, flowers, and mask-like faces. On the inner capital at left, a pair of birds drinks from a single vessel. This subject, a familiar motif in Christian art, suggests baptism and symbolizes Christ’s presence in the consecrated wine offered at Mass.