Altarpiece of the Saints John

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Location: 
Sala 025
Artists / Makers / Authorities: 
Bernat Martorell
Sant Celoni, circa 1400 – Barcelona, 1452
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Description:

The 'Altarpiece of the Saints John' from Vinaixa was commissioned in 1432 from the Tarragona painter Ramon de Mur, but in the end it was painted by Martorell. The MNAC keeps most of the panels from this altarpiece. The main panel is kept at the Museu Diocesà de Tarragona, a side compartment is kept at the Musée Rolin d'Autun (France), and the whereabouts of another compartment is unknown. The two Saints John feature in the scenes in the lateral lanes of the altarpiece and two more on the predella, respectively. The topmost compartment depicts the Calvary. The predella shows signs of old damage, especially scratches, on figures who were considered negative, such as the executioner (who cuts Saint John's head off), Herod and Herodias (crowned, behind the panel) and the Jews.Sants Joans Second Canvas

Painting

c. 1435-1445

344 x 261.5 x 10.5 cm

Muntadas Collection, purchased 1956; acquisition 1967

Inventory number: 

064045-CJT

Century: 15th
Subject: Religion
Tempera, gold leaf and metal plate on wood
The central panel of this work is kept at the Museu Diocesà de Tarragona. Thanks to old photographs we know of the existence of another panel devoted to Saint John the Evangelist drinking from the poisoned cup, whose whereabouts is now unknown. From the parish church of Vinaixa (Garrigues).
image for: Bernat Martorell - Retaule dels sants Joans - Cap a 1435-1445 [1]
Bernat Martorell - Retaule dels sants Joans - Cap a 1435-1445 [1]