Saint-Denis-en-France, Saint-Denis
capitals and sculpture in subphases

Building Data for Saint-Denis-en-France, Saint-Denis

  •  
  • Type: Abbey
  • Affiliation: Benedictine
  •  
  • Region: Ile-de-France
  • Department: Seine-St-Denis
  • Coords: 48.935, 2.3598
  •  
  • Surveyed: 1969, 1977, 1980-83, 1992-98, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2017

Map

Studies These draft studies have been written as if all carvings were by an individual whereas they can equally be analysed as template modes employed by a number of carvers. The more personal approach was necessitated by the complexity of the data. The drafts will be reconsidered after I have added the rib vault material to the database.
X

These draft studies have been written as if all carvings were by an individual whereas they can equally be analysed as template modes employed by a number of carvers. The more personal approach was necessitated by the complexity of the data. The drafts will be reconsidered after I have added the rib vault material to the database.

Capitals for Saint-Denis-en-France, Saint-Denis The building sequence is based on my on-site analysis of the construction history, using the techniques developed on the cathedral of Chartres called toichology, and described in a number of publications. The analysis of some of the smaller churches are more approximate than I would like, and need further analysis. <p>I have used 'phase' rather than 'campaign' to to identify a contiguous zone with similar elements. A campaign would be defined by recognisable breaks and construction joints in the fabric: there may be a number of phases within a campaign. One benefit is that separate programs by subcontractors, such as carvers, may be isolated, which is particularly useful in complex sections, such as portals. <p>Every phase has been assigned to a decade, so there may be more than one phase in a decade. <p>While this is certainly imperfect, it will allow us to explore all the data, including costs, across time. This is an on-going process, so as the data continues to be analyzed, the chronology and costing analysis will be further refined, and the synopsis updated. <p>Clicking on any of the decade graphics will display all buildings that had work being done during that decade.
X

The building sequence is based on my on-site analysis of the construction history, using the techniques developed on the cathedral of Chartres called toichology, and described in a number of publications. The analysis of some of the smaller churches are more approximate than I would like, and need further analysis.

I have used 'phase' rather than 'campaign' to to identify a contiguous zone with similar elements. A campaign would be defined by recognisable breaks and construction joints in the fabric: there may be a number of phases within a campaign. One benefit is that separate programs by subcontractors, such as carvers, may be isolated, which is particularly useful in complex sections, such as portals.

Every phase has been assigned to a decade, so there may be more than one phase in a decade.

While this is certainly imperfect, it will allow us to explore all the data, including costs, across time. This is an on-going process, so as the data continues to be analyzed, the chronology and costing analysis will be further refined, and the synopsis updated.

Clicking on any of the decade graphics will display all buildings that had work being done during that decade.

info Summary of studio practices in Laon

1130

Phase 4 - 1130s [1130] - w portal 2

There are thin shafts flanking the jamb sculpture and the figures, entirely replaced. The remains are scattered, mostly in the in the Musée de Cluny. We do not know which locations they had. In those that flank the doorways it looks like additional ashlar was inserted to make for changes in heights.
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Rationale for dating :
1128/30 ex imposts discussed in #29:22-
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-001.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - w portal 2

    • total uncertainty
Phase 4a - colonnette (Cluny) Phase 4g - colonnette (Cluny)
Phase 4b - colonnette (Cluny)
Phase 4c - colonnette (Cluny)
Phase 4d - colonnette (Cluny)
Phase 4e - colonnette (Cluny)
Phase 4f - colonnette (Cluny)
1130

Phase 4a - 1130s [1130] - colonnette (Cluny)

The shafts have symmetrically placed birds caught in repetitively mirrored vines.
 
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-a-001.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • total uncertainty
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-a-002.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • total uncertainty
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-a-003.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • total uncertainty
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-a-004.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • total uncertainty
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-a-005.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • total uncertainty
1130

Phase 4b - 1130s [1130] - colonnette (Cluny)

Cleverly-controlled matching vines and strange foliage.
 
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-b-001.jpg
    • Arum II - !! - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Variation of master's core template, possibly with an associate
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-b-002.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Variation of master's core template, possibly with an associate
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-b-003.jpg
    • Unknown - ! - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Variation of master's core template, possibly with an associate
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-b-004.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1130]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Variation of master's core template, possibly with an associate
1130

Phase 4c - 1130s [1131] - colonnette (Cluny)

Free forms that seem to have been placed to suit the figures, not the more usual opposite. Extraordinary range of leaf forms. Naked people in vigorous poses caught climbing the vines, which appear to be loosely arranged with limbs interlocking through the foliage. This is an illusion, for each is most carefully placed amid the foliate chaos. Do not forget that these are very thin columns with only a small space for the elements.
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  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-c-001.jpg
    • Gregoire - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-c-002.jpg
    • Gregoire - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-c-003.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-c-004.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-c-006.jpg
    • Gregoire - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
1130

Phase 4d - 1130s [1131] - colonnette (Cluny)

Some of the most unusual foliage, especially for that period.
 
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-d-001.jpg
    • The Italian - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-d-002.jpg
    • The Italian - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-d-003.jpg
    • The Italian - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-d-004.jpg
    • The Italian - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
1130

Phase 4e - 1130s [1131] - colonnette (Cluny)

Controlled repetitive forms with an iron-like quality.
 
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-e-001.jpg
    • Fleurette - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-e-002.jpg
    • Fleurette - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-e-003.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-e-004.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-e-005.jpg
    • Fleurette - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
1130

Phase 4f - 1130s [1131] - colonnette (Cluny)

These figures are in many ways like those in Phase 4c, except the freedom has been constrained by the spiral decorative belt within which the elements have to fit.
 
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-f-001.jpg
    • Gregoire - ? - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Unique feature, as a man clinging to a vine
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-f-002.jpg
    • Gregoire - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-f-003.jpg
    • Gregoire - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Unique feature, as a man clinging to a vine
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-f-004.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Unique feature, as a man clinging to a vine
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-f-005.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Unique feature, as a man clinging to a vine
1130

Phase 4g - 1130s [1131] - colonnette (Cluny)

Rather broken samples, very similar to those in Phase 4c.
 
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-g-001.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-g-002.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-g-003.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-g-004.jpg
    • Unknown - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template
  • files/capitals/S-DEN-FR/thumbs/S-DEN-FR-4-g-005.jpg
    • Gregoire - !! - 1130s [1131]

    • Saint-Denis-en-France- Phase 4

    • Saint-Denis - colonnette (Cluny)

    • Core template