Final answer:
The portal decoration of the Romanesque portal ensemble typically displays the scene of the Last Judgment. This scene includes imagery of Christ judging the Saved and the Dam-ned and is designed to remind viewers of moral conduct and the spiritual consequences of their actions.
Therefore, option 1) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Romanesque portal ensemble typically displays scenes of religious significance, with one of the most popular scenes being the Last Judgment. This scene portrays Christ sitting in judgment, separating the Saved from the Dam-ned, a powerful reminder of moral conduct and the afterlife to those entering the church. This specific iconography can be found, for example, in the tympanum of the Cathedral of St. Lazare in Autun, sculpted around 1130-46. The portal's tympanum is often surrounded by decorative archivolts adorned with foliate patterns, and the entire ensemble serves to convey religious messages and moral lessons to the viewer, incorporating intricate carvings that bring together architectural and sculptural techniques of the Romanesque period.
At the church of Saint-Pierre in Moissac, as well as in other Romanesque churches, pilgrims and parishioners were greeted with these visual narratives, which were both didactic and spiritually edifying, representing a veritable feast for the eyes and souls of the Romanesque viewer. The imagery often warned against sin while reminding viewers of Christ's sacrifice and the promise of his second coming. The Romanesque art was not solely about representing biblical scenes but also served as a reflection of societal values and a tool for religious instruction.