Dream of the Magi

Master Gislebertus was one of the greatest sculptors of the Middle Ages, who inscribed his name on the tympanum of the main portal of the Sainte-Lazare Cathedral at Autun. The majority of the capitals in the interior of the cathedral are also ascribed to him; most of them are on pilasters and therefore remain firmly connected to the surface. His sculptures are some of the most human, touching works that exist in Romanesque sculpture. The original capitals were removed and are on display in the Mus�e Rolin near to the Cathedral.

The Dream of the Magi, the capital originally on the east side of the north-east crossing pillar, shows the three crowned figures together under a large, round cover. Two of them are still asleep, but the third has already been woken by the movingly gentle touch of the angel who is pointing the star out to him.