Sex in Romanesque Art

A reinterpretation of intimacy and sex in the middle ages through romanesque art

Vulvas, childbirth, erect penises, and couples during intercourse populate the Romanesque churches across Europe, displayed on portals, capitals, and corbels. These sexual images, some of them very explicit, have generated astonishment, surprise, and even rejection in contemporary times, leading to various interpretations of their intentions and meanings. However, their proliferation and spontaneity suggest that, far from being depictions of sin, as they are often interpreted, they reflected a much more open sexuality that aligned with the mindset of those who promoted the construction of these temples.

This book demonstrates how, between the 11th and 13th centuries, there was an intense struggle for political power in which sex (or its absence) became one of the main legitimizing arguments for the social elites. This ideological battle left its mark on Romanesque sexual imagery, which challenges our  current logic.

Mellén challenges the popular notion of a dark and sexually repressive Middle Ages by carefully presenting Romanesque images with varying degrees of eroticism. Through these selections, she offers a fresh interpretation of sexuality, intimacy, and the culture of a complex and eclectic medieval society.