The Evangelists

The four symbols of the Evangelists are represented on this capital, one on each side. The motif of the open book shows once again what great importance was accorded to Holy Scripture in the sculpture of the cloister. The Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church, whose works would undoubtedly have been kept in the monastic library around the year 1100, proclaim the need to interpret the biblical texts in the right way. This “understanding” of Scripture is made possible by the passage to Christ (and to the New Testament), whose life and gospel the texts of the Evangelists recount.
On the east side of the capital the eagle, symbol of John, spreads his wings. The haloed head of the eagle is placed directly below the console block in the central axis.
On the south side the human figure of Matthew holds an open book with clearly recognizable lineation. The letters of the inscription LG/ IX/ FD/ FA are the initials of the incipit of his Gospel: “Liber generationis…“
On the west side the symbol of the Evangelist Mark, the lion, also holds a wide-open book; the letters V and C could refer to the third verse of his Gospel: “Vox clamantis in deserto…“
The symbol of Luke on the north side, the bull, is also holding an open book.
Each side of the bevelled impost frieze is filled with two lions, placed back to back; their heads meet in the corners; their tails are interlaced to form a different motif on each side.

Evangelists Luke bull Mark Lion Matthew human-figure John eagle Gospel inscription LG IX FD FA