Catalogue

THE WAY TO THE CALVARY ALTARPIECE

The relief of framed between a canopy and a blind skirting board
© J. Muñiz   CC-BY-NC-ND

TYPOLOGY 

This altarpiece has one single rectangular compartment that is almost one third higher than its width. The impression given by the space reserved for the relief, however, is more horizontal than vertical since two horizontal frames serve to accentuate this impression even more.

At its foot, the  altarpiece has a blind tracery decorated skirting board defined by two winding opposing nerves describing oval-shaped bubbles that were originally decorated with  lobes, rosettes and half rosettes.

Above the compartment, there is a continuous canopy on the same level comprising five different sections. Each of them is delimited by small pillars topped with pinnacles joined together by segmental arches under canopy-shaped arches which, in turn, stand beneath delicate traceries of pointed arches on an upper level. Pillar finials are ornamented with busts of angels with open wings and arms crossed over their chests. Two rectangular wings, one on either side, allow the altarpiece to be closed.