ARCHITECTURE - Karatunov.net

4 8 FRANCE AQUITAINE [CH. xixcivray whole this is one of the most charming fa9ades in westernRomanesque. But the west fronts of most of the churchesthat have been mentioned are singularly plain and unadorned,and in general the sculpturein this district isconfined chieflyto the capitals.These, especiallyin the apses, are very commonlycarved with figures,and gospel subjects,or with fancifulFig. 81.animals, while in the naves they are treated more simplywith volutes and leaves descended remotely from theCorinthian type, and sometimes of great excellence.Fig. 79 shows one from the fagade of Angouleme, andFig. 80 another from Poitiers. The shrine of S. Junienin the church at the town that bears his name has aninteresting series of niches and figures (Fig. 81).