This altar frontal is an excellent example of what is known as 1200 art, which in the Christian West was characterised by the influence of Byzantine art renovated during the twelfth century through the English miniature and the art of the Crusaders. The frontal is centred on the figure of Mary as the 'Sedes Sapientiae', or Seat of Wisdom, with the Child on her lap and flanked by four scenes from Jesus's childhood. The Byzantine stylistic influence can be seen in the sculptural modelling of the bodies, the three-quarters treatment of the faces and the remains of gilt plant decoration in the background. Mary's position in the Nativity scene, in which she is half seated on a bundle of straw, is also of Byzantine influence.Listen to the Ad Magnificat, antiphon that sets the scene of the Magi guided by the star leading them to the birthplace.Virtual tour: The voices of the Romanesque