Chapelle Saint-Mayol

English translation

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History

The priory of Saint-Mayol was a possession of the Benedictine abbey of Souvigny, which depended on Cluny. It was founded in the second half of the 12th century. Particularly prosperous in the 13th century, it was burned in the 14th by Anglo-Burgundian forces. Its chapel, restored in 1420, contained burials. This chapel preserves a semicircular chevet which is probably from the time of its foundation. The rectangular nave was rebuilt later. The nave and chevet are separated by an opening with a round arch. The walls of the chevet are covered with painted decoration depicting drapery. Above this drapery is depicted a succession of figures, ecclesiastics, monks, peasants... as well as scenes from the Benedictine history of the priory. The separating arch is also painted on its inner surface: beneath the keystone is depicted a dove within a glory supported by two angels. Above and at the keystone of this arch is represented a crucifixion. To the right of this central scene are depicted a figure dressed in a long tunic leading an ox, as well as another figure facing him. To the right, towards the corner, is depicted an evocation of field labours and, symmetrically, three standing figures. The upper register with character decoration continues all around the apse. The beardless figures with hair cut at mid-neck height where their extremity curves up to form a roll, the slightly pointed shoes, as well as the costumes, make it possible to date these paintings to 1300. The frescoes were restored in 1905.