Art & Architecture
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Saint Blaise, of Eastern origin, was a very popular saint in the West.
Born in Armenia, Saint Blaise lived in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. Initially a bishop, he was consulted for his healing powers.
He was also patron saint of farmers. His cult spread to Italy as early as the 4th century. In Burgundy, the presence of his relics is attested by Cluny in the 12th century.
© Centre des monuments nationaux / David Bordes
In Berzé-la-Ville, the story of Saint Blaise occupies a privileged place under the left arcature, in the middle section of the apse.
The painter has placed two episodes one above the other, to condense the narrative. In the upper register, a woman offers a pig's head as food to the imprisoned saint.
© Centre des monuments nationaux / David Bordes
In the lower register, we witness the execution of the saint by decapitation.
In the Cluniac spirit, the presence of Saint Blaise not only reflects the abbots' interest in the East and the origins of Christianity, but also serves as a reminder of the special ties Saint Hugues had developed with the Saint Blaise abbey in southern Germany.
© Centre des monuments nationaux / David Bordes
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