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.