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

Devil and Luxuria

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

The picture shows a detail of the western wall of the south portal narthex. This detail represents one of the most famous depictions of Luxuria. She is modeled in a naturalistic manner, and the countermovement of her head against the direction she is walking in is extremely expressive. Her body is naked, and its sensuousness is further accentuated by her long wavy hair. She is followed by the devil who has a distended stomach and grotesque face and he is gripping her by the right arm which she has raised.