Saints and minstrels from Sant Joan de Boí

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Location: 
Room 02
Artists / Makers / Authorities: 
Master of Boí
Social tags: 
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Description:

On the central part of the northern wall of Sant Joan de Boí, between the two windows of the nave, a scene is conserved with minstrels and acrobats, a representation which was not very usual in a religious building.  On a background with red, black and ochre stripes there are three minstrels playing music and doing acrobats.   The one on the left is upside down with a sword in his mouth while juggling with two other swords.  The one in the centre, who seems to be standing on rocks, has cut a piece in the air with a long knife, and the one on the right is playing a harp perched on a small construction.  

The whole scene was totally framed by borders of which a floral motif is conserved in the upper part and a wide border in the form of a zigzag in the lower part, under which there was an inscription that today has disappeared. 

See Paintings of Sant Joan de Boí
 

Painting

Circa 1100

380 x 767 cm

Purchased by the Junta de Museus in the 1919-1923 campaign

Inventory number: 

015955-000

From the nave and north wall of the church, decorated with paintings on the nave and aisles, the west wall, the arches, the columns and the exterior north wall. From the parish church of Sant Joan de Boí (Vall de Boí, Alta Ribagorça).
Fresco transferred to canvas
Century: 11th
Subject: Religion
Subject: Human figure
Mestre de Boí - Sants i joglars de Sant Joan de Boí - Cap a 1100
Sants i joglars de Sant Joan de Boí