Altarpiece of the Saints John facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Altarpiece of the Saints John |
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| Artist | Bernat Martorell  |
| Year | 1430s (Julian) |
| Medium | tempera |
| Dimensions | 344 cm (135 in) × 261.5 cm (103.0 in) × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) |
The Altarpiece of the Saints John is a large painting created by the artist Bernat Martorell. Today, it is kept safe at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC).
Contents
What is the Altarpiece of the Saints John?
An altarpiece is a work of art that stands behind the altar in a church. This specific altarpiece is dedicated to two important figures: Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. It tells stories from their lives through different painted scenes.
Who Painted This Artwork?
The Altarpiece of the Saints John was originally ordered in 1432. It was meant to be painted by Ramon de Mur, an artist from Tarragona. However, in the end, the famous painter Bernat Martorell created this beautiful artwork.
What Does the Altarpiece Show?
This altarpiece is made up of several painted sections, called panels. Most of these panels are now kept at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC). However, the main central panel is located at the Museu Diocesà de Tarragona. One side panel is in France, at the Musée Rolin in Autun. Sadly, another part of the altarpiece is currently missing.
Different Parts of the Altarpiece
Altarpieces often have different sections. This one features the two Saints John in the side parts, known as "lateral lanes." There are also two more scenes with them on the "predella." The predella is the long, lower part of the altarpiece, usually found at the bottom. At the very top of the altarpiece, there is a panel showing the "Calvary." This scene depicts the Crucifixion of Jesus.
Stories in the Painting
The predella part of the altarpiece shows some signs of damage from a long time ago. You can see scratches, especially on figures who were seen as "bad guys" in the stories. For example, there are marks on the figure of the person who carried out Saint John's execution. There are also scratches on the figures of Herod and Herodias, who were important rulers in the story.
See also
In Spanish: Retablo de los santos Juanes para niños
