Capital - Monster Headed Birds

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This iconic capital originates from the storied Monastery of La Daurade, boasting an intricately carved bas-relief depicting ferocious bird-like creatures or griffins. The Musée des Augustins' extensive collection of Romanesque sculptures is comprised mainly of remnants salvaged from Toulouse's three most prominent religious structures: the venerable Monastery of La Daurade, the historic Collegiate Church of Saint Sernin, and majestic Saint Etienne Cathedral. A deliberate choice made by the clergy responsible for maintaining these sacred buildings led to the construction of practical convent facilities, arranged around spacious cloisters adorned with intricate or elaborate sculptures. As Toulouse flourished as a powerful county's capital and a rapidly growing economic, political, and religious hub in the 11th and 12th centuries, it found itself in an ideal environment for the emergence of a groundbreaking art movement. The remarkable quality, diversity, and enduring legacy of this movement firmly establish Toulouse as one of the premier centers of Romanesque art. Consequently, the works housed within the Musée des Augustins serve as pivotal milestones in the evolution of sculpture.