The Epic Hagiography as Scriptural Genre and its Pictorial Rendering in the Saint- Savin-sur-Gartempe Crypt Frescos

The crypt frescoes of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe represent the earliest known visual narrative of an epic hagiography, blending scriptural tradition with artistic innovation. These 11th-century murals depict the life of Saint Savin in a sequential, story-driven format, challenging conventional medieval iconography by emphasizing narrative continuity and emotional depth. The study analyzes how this approach reflects broader shifts in religious storytelling during the Romanesque period, offering insights into the intersection of textual and visual culture in pre-Gothic Europe. Methodologically, the research combines art historical analysis with literary genre theory to decode the frescoes' structure and thematic layers.

Danziger, R. (2014). The Epic Hagiography as Scriptural Genre and its Pictorial Rendering in the Saint- Savin-sur-Gartempe Crypt Frescos. Mental Health, Spirituality, and Religion in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Age, 206–241. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110361643.206