Saint-Sulpice-de-Mareuil (Dordogne)


Two capitals representing male chastity - a rare and rustic treatment of an uncommon subject.


The second capital shows a skirted figure, apparently with breasts,
stretching out enormously long arms to cover the pubic regions of two flanking, bearded males,
one of whose enormously long arms are raised in the orans or praying gesture.
.

photographs by Julianna Lees

This rustic capital - probably by the same sculptor as at nearby Saint-Front-sur-Nizonne - is very curious.
Is the long-armed, half-naked female figure a groper, or does she represent Chastity, suppressing the sexuality of the two flanking males ?


 


The interesting doorway, featuring zig-zag and serpents.