MEDIEVAL SCULPTOR, French
(active 1120-1135 at Moissac)

South Portal

1120-35
Stone
Saint-Pierre, Moissac (Tarn-et-Garonne)

The tympanum of the south portal of the former abbey church of Saint-Pierre at Moissac (Tarn-et-Garonne) represents the vision of St John as described in his Revelation. Enthroned in the centre is the figure of Christ surrounded by a tetramorph, the symbols of the four Evangelists, themselves flanked by two angels with scrolls. The rest of the area is taken up by the twenty-four elders. Below the tympanum is the door lintel on which wheels of fire symbolize the fires of hell in the Apocalypse. It is all supported by two mighty door posts, on the left one is a very long relief statue of Peter, the patron saint of the abbey, and on the right there is one of Isaiah.