Romanesque churches' explicitly sexual carvings were the nobility's political propaganda'

Isabel Mellen emphasizes that the explicit depictions in Romanesque churches reflect a cultural openness concerning sexuality, particularly among the nobility who commissioned these works for reproductive and status purposes.

Mellen argues that these carvings should not be labeled as erotic or obscene; doing so would impose a male-centric evaluation that fails to appreciate the broader social context of the time.

In her analysis, Mellen notes a geographic disparity, stating that northern Spanish regions, like Cantabria, showcase more sexual iconography compared to areas like Catalonia, influenced by earlier clerical reforms.

The Church of San Pedro de Cervatos stands out for its rich iconography, featuring numerous sexual scenes and representations of childbirth, highlighting a stark contrast with areas that underwent earlier church reforms.

Read at english.elpais.com