Memory between tradition and modernity : Odolric's historicism and Bégon's promotion of image in Romanesque Conques

The architecture and sculpture of Sainte-Foy of Conques reflect not only ancient and Carolingian references but also a remarkable degree of modernity in relation to contemporaneous artistic work. The dynamics of artistic creation were particularly crucial under Abbot Odolric and Abbot Bégon. It seems, however, that the architectural and sculptural approaches taken by the two abbots to revive the memory of the sanctuary and the community are nuanced. Odolric favored the historicity of the shrine, frequently adopting forms that refer to the past, whereas Bégon attached more importance to the titular saint, taking advantage of new visual vectors. This paper seeks to address questions raised by Odolric's and Bégon's patronage strategies in enhancing the Romanesque abbey church's prestige through the analysis of architectural conception and layout, sculpted patterns and images, and the process of ritual space structuration.