. The priory of Anzy-le-Duc (Saone-et-Loire), constructed in the second half of the 11th century, has a five-bay nave, flanked by aisles—all groin-vaulted. Two short barrel-vaulted transepts open off the crossing. In spite of the relatively small size of Anzy, the interior appears wide because of the ample nave arcades and the direct clerestory windows. The crisp ashlar masonry emphasizes the mural nature of the thick walls. The south flank of the priory reveals the simple massing of nave above aisles, the penetrating transept, and the crowning three-storied, octagonal tower above the crossing. Projecting buttresses and punctured windows animate the surfaces.
The most dramatic part of Anzy-le-Duc is its east end. The plan, which is identical to that of Charlieu and related to that of Cluny II, calls for six apsidioles: two opening off the transept arms, two off the bays flanking the fore choir (chapels in eschelon), and one off the choir. When viewed from the side, the apsidioles climb dramatically to three different heights and extend eastward in four different planes.
Fine capitals decorate each nave pier. Starting in the second bay from the fagade, sutures, or breaks in the
Anzy-le-Duc (Saone-et-Loire), priory, chevet. Photograph courtesy of Whitney S. Stoddard.
Masonry, descend. Masonry above and to the west of this suture is a later campaign. The west portal depicts Apostles on the lintel, the Ascension in the tympanum surrounded by Elders of the Apocalypse in the archivolts. Edson Armi argued that the lintel, capitals, and archivolts were carved by two distinct sculptors whose work at Anzy predates the famous choir capitals of Cluny III. The Mont-Saint-Vincent Master created the crude portal of Mont-Saint-Vincent, the inner narthex lintel and tympanum of Charlieu, and the lintel of Anzy-le-Duc. The Avenas Master, deriving his name from a fine altar at Avenas south of Cluny, carved sculpture on the portal of Macon, Anzy-le-Duc (archivolts and capitals), and Perreay-les-Forges before continuing to work at Vezelay and Cluny III.
The dates of this sculpture depend upon the dating of the Cluny III choir capitals, which varies from 1085 to 1150. The capitals are probably slightly later than the Cluny III portal of 1109-13; if this conclusion is correct, the Anzy-le-Duc sculpture can be dated in the early 12th century.
In addition to nave capitals and fagade portal, there are two other later portals: one in a museum in Paray-le-Monial and the other in a building south of the priory.
Whitney S. Stoddard
Armi, E. Edson. Masons and Sculptors in Romanesque Burgundy. 2 vols. University Park:
Pennsylvania State University Press, 1983, Vol. 1, pp. 14-15, 21, 37-38, 41-42; Vol. 2, pp. 84a, b, 85d, 89a, b, 116b.
Pendergast, Carol. The Romanesque Sculpture of Anzy-le-Duc. Diss. Yale University, 1974.
--. “The Lintel of the West Portal at Anzy-le-Duc.” Gesta 15 (1976):135-42.
Porter, Arthur K. Romanesque Sculpture of the Pilgrimage Roads. 2 vols. Boston: Marshall Jones, 1923, Vol. 1: Text, pp. 120-22, 130; Vol. 2: Illustrations, pp. 17-24, 95-99.
Stoddard, Whitney S. Monastery and Cathedral in France. Middletown: Wesleyan University Press, 1966, pp. 52, 58, 78; figs 62, 64, 73, 74, 107.
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