Altar Frontal: Ascension of Christ (Frontal de Martinet)
Culture
Catalan
Culture
Spanish
Datelate 1100s–early 1200s
Mediumpainting on wood panel
Dimensionsoverall: 95.2 x 145.5 cm (37 1/2 x 57 5/16 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number1934.27
DescriptionRomanesque School; referred to in some publications as the 'Frontal de Martinet' although records here show its origin to be the parish church at Lles, La Seo de Urget.The upper register represents the heavenly world. In the center is Jesus Christ, enclosed within a mandorla, his right hand in a gesture of blessing, his left holding a book. On each side of him are three angels, one extending a hand toward Jesus and the other toward the earthly register below, making the connection from above between the two registers. The other two angels on each side carry crosses and a censer, suggesting the apparatus of the Mass that would be celebrated at the altar.
The lower register represents the human world. Jesus's mother Mary stands at the center, bearing a chalice in her right hand, again suggestive of the Mass. To either side of her are the Twelve Apostles, looking upward and gesturing to the scene in the register above.
Damage along the base doubtless from many years of priests celebrating Mass at the altar.
Label TextAltar frontals were a common type of painting in medieval Spain, and many have been preserved in parish churches of Catalonia. The subjects, composition, and painting style were prescribed by tradition, with little variation between examples. Most show Jesus Christ as the Pantocrator, or Ruler of the Universe. The surrounding iconography here also includes the story of the Ascension, with attendant angels escorting Christ to heaven while his mother Mary and his apostles look up in wonder.Provenance1933 from Arthur Byne, London England and Madrid; from D. Jose Bardolet from the church at Lles, La Seo de Urget, Cerdanya, Lerida
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