The
Doorway from Moutiers-Saint-Jean is a portal dating from around 1250, originally for the
abbey of Moutiers-Saint-Jean, near the French city of
Dijon. It was designed in the
Gothic style and carved from white
oolitic limestone. The abbey was founded in the 5th century and became a major center of influence, patronised by a line of kings and nobles over the centuries. At one time it was financed by the
dukes of Burgundy. Art historians detect at least two different hands working simultaneously on the structure's architectural elements, in particular the two outer pier capitals on either side which are of a different style and type. However, it is thought that both sculptors worked on either
embrasure, so that neither right nor left can be fully attributed to either hand. Given the size and form of the outer piers, it is likely that the portal was originally beneath
vaulting covering an ambulatory passage. It has been installed at
The Cloisters in New York City since 1932.
Creator: Unknown