France (Autun, Burgundy)

The Hanging of Judas Historiated Capital by Gislebertus from the Cathedral of Saint-Lazare

2184

1120–1135 CE; High Romanesque (12th Century)

A historiated capital depicting the harrowing narrative of the Hanging of Judas: the limp, desperate figure of Judas hangs from a rigid beam while two grotesque horned demons grimace and actively tug at the ropes from below. Large highly stylized floral and leaf motifs with radiating serrated edges frame the upper corners, and profound undercutting behind the demons' limbs and hanging body creates intense theatrical chiaroscuro.