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Keywords

portal
Wise and Foolish Virgins
style saintongue
archivolt
Fenioux
Poitou-Charentes
Carolingian
Poitou
Agnus Dei
Charente-Maritime
France
facade
17
zodiac
vices and virtues; poitevine


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Fenioux - Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

Fenioux - Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
Fenioux, a small village with a population of less than 200, has this wonderful parish church "Notre-Dame de l’Assomption". Once the church was dedicated to "Saint-Savinien" and "Saint Pierre". It was built in the 12th century, about the same time, when Aulnay (27kms northeast) was under construction.

The church was erected over a Carolingian oratory from the 9th century, of which some parts were integrated into the new building - and so still exist around the choir. The large, western facade, with its five archivolts is breathtaking. Though vandalized during the Wars of Religion and the French Revolution, when many sculptures here lost their heads, this is still extraordenary.

On the sill, under ten corbels (demonic faces and an angel), once were eight free-standing sculptures. Most of them are severely damaged by vandals and lost their heads (or more).

There are five semicircular archivolts - and ten capitals. The inner archivolt is covered with symmetric foliage in the "traditonal style saintongue". The second archivolt has the virtues defeating the vices, the third one is populated by six angels flanking an Agnus Dei. The parable of the "Wise and Foolish Virgins" can be seen on the fourth - and the fifth archivolt has a complete zodiac - and the names of the corresponding months.

I will upload more detailed photos of this portal next.

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