Masterpieces

The Archaeology collection, thanks to acquisitions from all over the Mediterranean and from excavations in Catalonia, all chronologically ordered, includes evidence of the ancient Egyptian, Phoenician, Greek, Etruscan and Roman cultures, next to materials mainly recovered from the Osona region, dating back from prehistoric times through to the Middle Ages.

The MEV’s collection of Romanesque Art is among the most important ones in the world. There are a dozen painted panels, which include the exceptional Ribes Baldachin, the front of the altar from Puigbò and the altar set from Santa Maria de Lluçà. The Osormort, El Brull and La Seu d’Urgell mural paintings are presented in areas that reproduce the architecture of the original apses. The sculpture includes a large series of carvings of the Virgin with her Son, as well as some of the most outstanding examples of Christ in Majesty from the 12th century. Particularly worthy of a mention are the set of five figures of the Descent from the Cross from Erill la Vall, which are unique in Europe.

The various stages of Catalan Gothic art can be found at the MEV in leading works. The Gothic line can be seen in the Soriguerola panels. The Italianisation trend, introduced in around 1330, includes pictorial works linked to those of Bassa and Serra. The works of Jaume Cabrera and Joan Mates, and in particular the magnificent altarpieces from Santa Clara (by Lluís Borrassà) and from Guimerà (by Ramon de Mur) from the first international Gothic period are notable, and are exhibited in an area that brings to mind the courtyard of a Gothic building and is an ideal setting for contemplating them. In sculpture, we would mention the exceptional altarpiece showing the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, from the workshop of Bernat Saulet, as well as the Virgin of Boixadors.

The work of Bernat Martorell, next to that of other painters such as the Mestre de Glorieta, Bernat Despuig and Jaume Cirera illustrate the arrival and the influence of the Flemish models on Catalan painting in the second international Gothic period. We would particularly mention the twelve compartments of the Santa Maria de Verdú altarpiece, by Jaume Ferrer. Late Gothic is represented by works from different schools (Barcelona, Lleida, Valencia or Tarragona) and by people such as the Mestre de Cervera and, above all, Jaume Huguet. Finally, the series of panels from the Gascó workshop constitutes an eloquent testimony of the evolution of Catalan painting during the first half of the 16th century.

Since its beginnings, the Museum has included sections dedicated to Arts and Trades. The liturgical materials and clothing collection illustrates their evolution from the III to the XX century. Here we can find the pallium of the Witches, as well as other works of unquestionable historical and artistic value.The glassware, leatherwork, precious metals and ceramics take us on a journey through the history of liturgical and decorative art in Catalonia.