# Exterior view [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [ARCHITECT, French]() - Date: 1151-1200 - Technique: Photo ## Commentary The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women in Saintes in Charante-Maritime in France. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II, Count of Anjou and his wife Agnes. Later, Agnes would retire to the nunnery and die there. The Abbey enjoyed considerable influence until the 18th century. During the French Revolution it was turned first into a prison and then by royal decree into a barracks. The façade of the abbey church has two storeys and is divided into three sections, meaning that it was following the scheme used throughout western France. The photo shows the west façade. ## Related artworks - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Bird's eye view]() - [Burial lantern]() - [Castle]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()