This portal once ushered people into a small church in Umbria, the Italian region that borders Tuscany. Stand off to either side of the doorway to avoid the traffic that flows through it today.

This portal is composed of elements made at different times and in a variety of styles. Notice, for example, the two jambs, or sides of the door, with their entirely different designs. On the left jamb, curving vegetal designs wind their way around unusual motifs—find the enigmatic figure near the center right edge who stirs a pot with one hand while blowing a horn with the other. And further above him, the angel who hovers beneath an oversized flower. The right jamb pairs a lozenge pattern on the left with a vine of acanthus leaves on the right.

The style of European art prevalent in the eleventh and twelfth centuries is generally known as Romanesque. One of the hallmarks of the style can be seen in the wide rounded arch, or Roman arch, at the top of the portal. Look up at the arch to find a block just right of center that bears the Roman letters V, R, and C.

Press the green PLAY button to hear Curator Charles Little explain this curious detail.