Romanesque
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 Espinelves 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.
Doorway of the church of Sant Vicenç in Malla (1150/1200) by Vic-Ripoll workshopMev, Museu d'Art Medieval
Doorways
The Romanesque portals were the entrance door to enter the churches and were usually decorated with biblical themes. The capitals are the upper part of the columns or pilasters, often decorated with sculptures.
Inside the church
Altars were the most important places in Christian churches, and were therefore entirely decorated with mural paintings, fabrics, altar frontals, baldachins....
Romanesque room
Altar frontals
Altar frontals painted in tempera are rectangular panels covering the front part of the altar, sometimes they also had side pieces that covered the lateral parts of the altar.
Baldachin from Ribes (1125/1150) by La Seu d'Urgell workshopsMev, Museu d'Art Medieval
Baldachins
Baldachins were originally placed in the church apse. They could be with columns or a canopy-panel, this one was like a ceiling hanging over the altar and supported by beams. Their liturgical function was that of protecting and highlighting the altar.
The Descent from the Cross from Erill la Vall (1100/1150) by Master of ErillMev, Museu d'Art Medieval
The descent
It seems that the descents were located in a beam over the altar.
Virgins
The oldest Romanesque virgins are represented following the bizenthine tradition and were known as Maiestas Mariae or Sedes Sapientiae. Following this iconographic model, the figure of the Virgin is portrayed as the throne of the Child Jesus.
Christ in Majesty from Santa Maria in Lluçà (1150/1200) by Vic workshopsMev, Museu d'Art Medieval
Christ in Majesty
Christ in Majesty became popular in Catalonia in the second half of the 12th century, representing the symbol of Jesus Christ triumphant over death.
Liturgical objects
The museum preserves many liturgical objects from Romanesque churches, such as censers for burning the incense in certain religious celebrations, candlesticks to illuminate the altar, crosses or decorative appliques.
Museu Episcopal de Vic