Feasting Two-Headed Man Representing the Month of January, from a Church Doorway

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Gallery 304, European Art 1100-1500, third floor (Knight Foundation Gallery)

Main Building

Feasting Two-Headed Man Representing the Month of January, from a Church Doorway

1250-1275

Artist/maker unknown, French

This seated figure represents the month of January, which is named after Janus, the ancient Roman god of beginnings and endings. His double face simultaneously looks ahead to the new year and back to the old. Depictions such as this one were commonly found in scenes of the Labors of the Months, an iconographic system that represented the cycle of the year, in the same manner as symbols of the zodiac. Labors and zodiac signs decorated medieval church facades, stained glass windows, and illuminated manuscripts. This example would have been part of the archivolt (ornamental band that follows the inner curve of an arch) of a church portal.

Gallery 304, European Art 1100-1500, third floor (Knight Foundation Gallery)

Object Details

Title:

Feasting Two-Headed Man Representing the Month of January, from a Church Doorway

Date:

1250-1275

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, French

Medium:

Limestone

Dimensions:

20 x 12 1/8 x 11 1/4 inches (50.8 x 30.8 x 28.6 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Purchased with Museum funds from the George Grey Barnard Collection, 1945

Accession Number:

1945-25-74

Geography:

Made in Burgundy, France, Europe

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Gallery 304, European Art 1100-1500, third floor (Knight Foundation Gallery)

Main Building

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