The two major capitals in the crypt of Saint-Bénigne at Dijon
Rita Wood
Abstract The three-storey rotunda at Dijon, built by William of Volpiano and consecrated in 1018, has been reduced to its crypt, but an impressive pair capitals survive adjacent the burial place St Bénigne. In modern times these have repeatedly described as full monsters, their significance for Romanesque sculpture consequently neglected. Enough remains dense, three-dimensional them be identified representing, fact, a lesson commonly read masses dead. Numerous saints martyrs were marked burials crypt or altars rotunda. All Saints’ Day was celebrated on 1 November, so that main feast day Bénigne transferred 2 November. About 998, commemoration Souls, also had introduced Odilo, Abbot Cluny, is likely adopted William. text from Thessalonians suggests imaginative use rotunda’s vertical dimension, this particular season others.
The Antiquaries Journal