The Sign of the Lion and the Sign of the Ram

myminifactory

This bas-relief is believed to have been initially designed as a key component of the iconographic program for the western facade of the abbey Saint-Sernin. Featuring a complex iconography that still holds many mysteries, this work serves as a testament to the pinnacle of sculpted art at the Saint-Sernin Basilica. Its style, heavily influenced by late Antiquity, draws strong parallels with the artistry seen in the Silversmiths' portal of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. The inscription nestled between the two female figures provides the work's title: "Aries sign / Lion sign / This was accomplished during the time of Julius Caesar". Many interpret this relief as a subtle allusion to the birth or death of Christ.