A Romanesque Masterpiece in Burgundy – History Tools (2024)

Nestled in the picturesque town of Autun in France‘s Burgundy region, the Cathedral of St. Lazarus (known simply as Autun Cathedral) is a magnificent medieval church renowned for its breathtaking Romanesque sculptures. Built in the early 12th century as a pilgrimage church, Autun Cathedral houses the relics of Lazarus, the brother of Mary Magdalene whom Jesus famously raised from the dead according to the Gospel of John.

Historical Context

Autun Cathedral was constructed during a time when pilgrimage churches were being built all over Europe to house the relics of saints, which were believed to have miraculous powers. The 12th century saw an explosion in the cult of saints and relic veneration, with pilgrims traveling long distances to pray at the tombs of holy figures.

As historian Barbara Abou-El-Haj explains in her book "The Medieval Cult of Saints: Formations and Transformations":

"The twelfth century was marked by an unprecedented enthusiasm for the cult of saints and their relics…The possession of a holy body, and the building of an edifice grand enough to house it, brought prestige as well as temporal wealth and spiritual authority."

It was in this context that the canons of Autun decided to construct a grand new church to house the relics of Lazarus, which had been discovered in the town in the early 12th century. The cathedral was strategically located along the pilgrimage route from Vezelay to Compostela, ensuring a steady stream of devout visitors.

Gislebertus‘ Sculptural Program

What makes Autun Cathedral truly special is its decorative Romanesque sculptures, considered some of the finest surviving examples of the style. These were created by the sculptor Gislebertus, one of the few medieval artists whose name is actually known today.

Gislebertus‘ crowning achievement is the cathedral‘s western portal, which features an elaborate tympanum depicting the Last Judgment. This monumental sculpture, measuring 21 feet in width and 16 feet in height, is a masterpiece of Romanesque art.

In this awe-inspiring tableau, a majestic Christ presides over the dramatic scene, with the saved ascending to heaven on his right and the damned cast down to hell on his left. The figure of Christ is flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John, along with the twelve apostles and a host of angels, saints, and the resurrected dead.

The tympanum is notable for its deeply undercut, dynamic style, which creates dramatic areas of light and shadow. As art historian Linda Seidel notes in her book "Legends in Limestone: Lazarus, Gislebertus, and the Cathedral of Autun":

"The Last Judgment tympanum is distinguished by its vitality and expressiveness… Gislebertus‘ figures are not mere types, but convey a sense of individual character and psychology through their vivid facial expressions and animated gestures."

Other remarkable sculptural details on the west portal include the lintel showing the Temptation of Eve and a series of capitals depicting scenes from Genesis and Exodus. Gislebertus‘ sculpture program at Autun Cathedral is notable for its sophisticated theological symbolism and innovative compositional techniques.

Scholars have noted similarities between Gislebertus‘ work at Autun Cathedral and other major Romanesque sculpture ensembles in France, such as the tympanum at the Abbey Church of Ste. Madeleine in Vezelay, which also depicts the Last Judgment. However, the Autun sculpture stands out for its particularly fine execution and expressive qualities.

Later History and Restorations

While the west facade and its sculptures date to the mid-12th century, the rest of Autun Cathedral was constructed over several decades and incorporates a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. The east end of the church, with its large transept and deep choir, was completed by 1178 and shows the influence of the pioneering Gothic churches then being built in the Île-de-France region, such as Sens Cathedral.

The cathedral suffered damage during the Hundred Years War between England and France in the 14th-15th centuries. In 1379, the Duchy of Burgundy broke away from the French crown and allied itself with the English. Autun was subsequently attacked and occupied by Burgundian forces.

In the 15th century, a fire destroyed much of Autun Cathedral‘s wooden roof and furnishings. In the aftermath, the Bishop of Autun, Cardinal Jean Rolin, undertook a major renovation project. The Romanesque wooden ceiling was replaced with Gothic rib vaults and the central tower was built up into an impressive spire, dramatically changing the cathedral‘s silhouette.

The French Wars of Religion in the 16th century saw further damage to the cathedral. The Huguenots (French Protestants) sacked Autun in 1570 and reportedly intended to destroy the cathedral, but were prevented from doing so by the townspeople.

Amazingly, Autun Cathedral‘s celebrated Romanesque sculpture survived the iconoclasm of the French Revolution thanks to some clever thinking by the cathedral‘s canons. Not fans of the old-fashioned medieval style, in 1766 they decided to cover Gislebertus‘ sculptures up with plaster and paint over them in a more contemporary manner. While Christ‘s head had to be removed to accommodate this, the plaster ended up protecting the 12th-century treasures and preserving them unscathed. As Seidel wryly observes:

"Disdain of the Romanesque, it would seem, ensured its survival."

In the 19th century, the medieval west front sculpture was rediscovered and became the focus of scholarly attention. The famous French architect and architectural historian Viollet-le-Duc praised the Autun sculpture as "one of the most beautiful remaining pages of this great book that we call the Middle Ages."

In 1837, Prosper Mérimée, the Inspector General of Historic Monuments, visited Autun Cathedral and declared Gislebertus‘ Last Judgment tympanum to be "one of the most remarquable in France." It was classified as a Monument Historique, giving it protected status.

A program of restoration began in 1837 to repair the damage wrought by time and the elements. The 19th-century restorations were typical of the period, aiming more to recreate an idealized version of the "original" medieval appearance rather than conserve the existing fabric.

Architecture and Layout

Autun Cathedral is a classic example of Romanesque pilgrimage church architecture. Constructed out of the local grey limestone, it has a monumental, fortress-like quality typical of many 12th-century churches.

The floor plan is based on the Latin cross, with a long nave, wide transepts, and a deep choir designed to accommodate the flow of pilgrims. Key architectural features include:

• Thick, load-bearing walls
• Round arches
• Groin vaulted nave roof
• Large crossing tower and spire (Gothic addition)
• Radiating chapels off the ambulatory
• Substantial west front with sculptural decoration

As architectural historian Roger Stalley notes in "Early Medieval Architecture":

"The plan and elevation of Autun Cathedral are conditioned by its function as a pilgrimage church, designed to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims who came to venerate the relics of Lazarus. The spacious nave and aisles, the broad transepts, and the ambulatory with radiating chapels are all features typical of this building type."

In addition to its famous Last Judgment portal, the exterior of Autun Cathedral boasts other fine examples of Romanesque decorative carving, including the elaborate south transept portal with its distinctively ornate columns and capitals.

Legacy and Significance

Autun Cathedral is considered a masterpiece of Romanesque art and architecture, distinguished by the exceptional quality of its sculptural decoration. Its international renown is largely due to Gislebertus‘ spectacular west front sculpture ensemble, which has been praised by scholars and artists for centuries.

As one of the best-preserved Romanesque pilgrimage churches, Autun Cathedral offers valuable insights into 12th-century religious life and the central role that saints, relics, and pilgrimage played in medieval society.

The Autun Cathedral Last Judgment tympanum, with its innovative composition and expressive figures, had a major influence on later medieval sculptors. It established a new benchmark for large-scale architectural sculpture and narrative intensity that would inspire church decoration programs for generations.

Gislebertus‘ sculptures are not only of the highest artistic quality, but also reflect the most advanced theological thinking of the 12th century. The complex symbolism and visual exegesis of the Autun west front demonstrate the increasingly sophisticated ways in which medieval thinkers used images to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons.

Today, around 170,000 people visit Autun Cathedral each year to admire its architecture and sculpture. The town of Autun has a population of around 15,000 – a testament to the enduring appeal and importance of this magnificent medieval church.

In the words of renowned art historian Meyer Schapiro:

"The Autun sculptures are among the supreme achievements of Romanesque art in France. They convey with unforgettable power the terror and majesty of the Last Judgment, the momentous event that would determine the eternal fate of every soul."

Nearly nine centuries after its creation, Gislebertus‘ sculpture at Autun Cathedral continues to awe and inspire visitors from all over the world, a testament to the timeless power of great art to move and transform us.