Gothic altarpiece of Santes Creus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gothic altarpiece of Santes Creus |
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| Artist | Guerau Gener & Lluís Borrassà |
| Year | 1407–1411 |
| Type | gothic altarpiece |
| Dimensions | 460 cm × 500 cm (180 in × 200 in) |
| Location | Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and Catedral de Tarragona, Barcelona & Tarragona |
The Gothic altarpiece of Santes Creus is a very important piece of art from the early 1400s. It was painted by two famous artists, Guerau Gener and Lluís Borrassà, between 1407 and 1411. An altarpiece is a special artwork placed behind the altar in a church. This one was made for the Santes Creus Monastery in Catalonia, Spain.
This altarpiece is a key example of a style called International Gothic. Today, parts of it are kept in different places. The MNAC museum in Barcelona has two main parts: the Nativity scene (showing the birth of Jesus) and the Resurrection of Christ. The rest of the altarpiece panels are in a chapel at the Cathedral of Tarragona.
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What is an Altarpiece?
An altarpiece is a work of art that stands behind the altar in a Christian church. These artworks often tell stories from the Bible or show important religious figures. They can be paintings, sculptures, or a mix of both. Altarpieces were very popular in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. They helped people learn about their faith, especially when many could not read.
The Artists Behind the Altarpiece
The Santes Creus altarpiece was a big project that involved several artists. It was first planned for an artist named Pere Serra. However, he sadly passed away before he could start the work.
After Pere Serra, the job went to Guerau Gener. He was an artist who knew a lot about the International Gothic style from Valencia. But Guerau Gener also died unexpectedly before finishing the altarpiece.
Finally, Lluís Borrassà took over the project. Borrassà was one of the most important painters in Catalonia during the early International Gothic period. He completed the altarpiece, making it the beautiful artwork we see today.
The International Gothic Style
The Santes Creus altarpiece is a great example of the International Gothic style. This art style was popular across Europe in the late 1300s and early 1400s. It combined ideas from different regions.
Key features of International Gothic art include:
- Elegant figures: People in the paintings often look graceful and delicate.
- Rich colors: Artists used bright, vibrant colors, often with gold.
- Detailed patterns: There was a lot of attention to small details, like clothing and backgrounds.
- Focus on storytelling: The art aimed to tell clear and engaging stories.
This style was very popular with royal families and wealthy people. It helped spread artistic ideas across different countries.
Where to See the Altarpiece Today
If you want to see parts of this historic altarpiece, you can visit two places in Catalonia:
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) in Barcelona: Here, you can see the Nativity and Resurrection of Christ panels.
- Cathedral of Tarragona: The rest of the altarpiece panels are displayed in one of the chapels inside this grand cathedral.
Images for kids
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Structure of the altarpiece
See also
In Spanish: Retablo gótico del Monasterio de Santes Creus para niños
