Rheinisches Landesmuseum Bonn

Taurus (Stier)

One of the 12th-century Tierkreisreliefs aus Brauweiler (Zodiac Reliefs from Brauweiler), on loan from the Museum Schnütgen in Cologne.

These beautifully carved zodiac reliefs once decorated the north tower of the abbey church in Brauweiler, west of Cologne. They were added sometime before 1141 as part of the rich sculptural decoration of the church. At the time there was little sculpture decoration in German churches and the subject of the zodiac is unique.

Seven of the original twelve panels have survived: Aquarius (January), Pisces (February), Aries (March), Taurus (April), Gemini (May), Cancer (June) and Virgo (August). The zodiac represents the progression of the year on earth and the movement of the stars in the heavens; in medieval art it was often accompanied by scenes of the "Labors of the Months." See our Zodiac and Labors of the Months feature for more information and examples.

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Date: 1/24/08 2:12 PM
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