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In Romanesque art the selection of the theme was the patron's prerogative, however, its presentation was left largely to the artist. In particular artists appear to have been allowed to give free expression to their imaginations in the use of small marginal motifs on the capitals of columns. They often have grotesque, erotic, or humorous themes, and must have been done, at the very least, with the acquiescence of the patron, but whether they were intended purely to amuse or had a more serious, symbolic significance is difficult to ascertain.
The capital shown in the picture is in the St Gabriel's Chapel of the Canterbury Cathedral. It represents animals playing musical instruments.
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