Sarcophagus
Artist/Culture
Spanish
Date1200s–1300s
Mediumdolomite
Dimensions47.3 x 141 x 61 cm (18 5/8 x 55 1/2 x 24 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineAustin S. and Sarah C. Garver Fund
Terms
Object number1949.38
DescriptionSarcophagus carved in relief.Front: in the center, Christ in Majesty, seated in mandorla holding book and hand raised in blessing, with symbols of the four Evangelists. He is flanked by the twelve Apostles standing six on each side, beneath crocketed arches resting on columns.
Right end: the Annunciation. Left end: the Crucifixtion. At the sides of each end are three identical armorial shields bearing a "chequy" pattern.
Rear: funeral rites in a triple arched arcade.
Label TextPresumably made for the remains of a saint, this sarchophagus depicts on one side the transferral of the saint’s remains from a simple to an elaborate sarcophagus, and, on the other, Christ in Majesty. The ends show the Annunciation and Crucifixion. It is believed that that sarcophagus was placed behind the altar of the church with the end showing the Crucifixion facing west, towards the congregation. This face of the sarcophagus formed the reredos of a smaller altar. The basic organization of the scenes dates back to early Christian times, but the figural style is more modern. ProvenanceAmbrose Monell, New York, by 1930; purchased by William Randolph Hearst, New York, at the Ambrose Monell Collection sale, American Art Association, Anderson Galleries, New York, November 28, 1930, no. 40; purchased by the Brummer Gallery, New York, June 7, 1944 [object inventory card no. N5974]; purchased by the Worcester Art Museum from the Collection of Joseph Brummer sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, April 23, 1949, no. 767.
On View
On view
