Vezelay: The Great Romanesque Church by Veronique Rouchon Mouilleron & Daniel Faure
folio. pp. 161. profusely illustrated. hardcover. dw. (fine condition). New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc., [1999].
ISBN-10: 08109393871 / ISBN-13: 9780810939370
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The historic abbey church of Sainte-Madeleine, or Mary Magdalene, at Vezelay in Burgundy is one of the wonders of medieval art. Begun in 1120 in the Romanesque style, the church is a jewel of early-twelfth-century architecture. But most remarkable of all is Vezelay's sculpture. The tympana - the massive semicircles of stone that crown the main doors - and the capitals of the columns in the nave, richly carved with figures from the Bible and Christian legend, are among the finest works of sculpture in the world.
This superbly illustrated book offers a complete visual record of the architecture and sculpture of Sainte-Madeleine. The photographs are accompanied by an authoritative text that guide the reader through the church, sculpture by sculpture, truly bringing this magnificent place to life.