CAPITALS

Capitals are the piece of architecture at the top of the column. Depending on the architecture of the cloister they can be impressive, or relatively plain.

Carolingian Capitals were cubic in structure or had images of foliage. There were followed by capitals with figures, for examples animals, as part of the Romanesque Period. The next period of style, Gothic, has capitals rever back to foliate or other styles. During the Renaisanced Period, capitals would duplicate the look of Roman architecture or would be simple squares.

Figurative Capitals emerged in the 11th century and include foliage, geometric and animal motifs.

We saw fine examples of these at the Benedictine Abbey of Moissasc (France).