Chapel Saint-Erige, Auron Apse's wall, extremity of the northern wall :
- double apse and central niche -
- Global view of the decoration -
The painted decoration of this wall, probably done
in tempera, does not present any real global
programme but three cycles and some isolated figures.
The main apse, on the right, is dedicated to a glorified
Christ in the cul-de-four, and to six episodes of Saint Erige's life, below.
The
left apse is dedicated to the cycle of
Saint Denis' life, with its twelve episodes,
divided into three registers.
Around the apse's arch, the twelve
apostles have been represented but very few remain today.
In a
symmetrical disposition, above the main apse, the series of the prophets used to
be represented but it has been almost completely destroyed.
In a
symmetrical disposition, above the main apse, the series of the prophets, almost
completely destroyed, was represented.
A baldachin niche dedicated to
Saint Mary-Magdalen
is backed on to the wall at the far end of the chapel, between the two
apses.
The painted decoration of chapel Saint-Erige is posterior
to the erecting of the church, which existence is established in a pontifical
text of 1333.
Indeed, an inscription painted on one of the apses gives the precise date
(October of 1451) as well as the sleeping partner's name, Ludovic Rapuo, from
Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée, maybe one of the well-heeled landowners that
shared the pasture lands and woods of Auron.