MEDIEVAL SCULPTOR, Italian
(active 1100s in Spoleto)

Façade (lower central part)

1100s
Stone
San Pietro, Spoleto

The convent church of San Pietro di Spoleto was completed in the 13th century and altered in the Baroque era. The central part of the decoration must date from the beginning of the 12th century, except for the upper reliefs, which are from the 13th century. It reveals Armenian and Syrian influences in its architectural structure. The six large horizontal reliefs, scenes of fierce combat in which beasts are paired with men, birds, or other animals, are Roman in handling and Oriental in inspiration. The others are directly inspired by the antique. Religious iconography is absent from this sober and hieratic ensemble - one of the most remarkable creations of Italian Romanesque art.