The treasures of the Museum of Sacred Art of Mallorca (MASM)
Discover the 20 most outstanding works of art from the Museum of Sacred Art of Mallorca from the 13th century to the 20th century.
Portal of the chapel of Sant Pau (1380-1385)Catedral de Mallorca
The Museum of Sacred Art is dedicated to preserving, exhibiting and disseminating a collection of religious themes, uses and origins. The collection is a historical testimony of the culture and heritage that the Christian faith has generated over the centuries in Mallorca.
Window bars of the Episcopal Palace (1902-1915) by Design of Antoni GaudíCatedral de Mallorca
The Museum is located in the Bishop's Palace. It has its origins in the 13th century, after the conquest of Mallorca. Its current appearance is the result of numerous interventions promoted by the different bishops of Mallorca, from the 13th century to the present.
Pentecost (XV century) by Joan Pallicer (attribution)Catedral de Mallorca
Among the works of art in the collection of the Museum of Sacred Art, the following stand out:
1. The altarpiece of Saint George
It is made by Pere Niçard and Rafel Mòger and was made in 1468-1470. Appears Saint George killing the dragon, the princess and in the background the idealized City of Mallorca. With this work Niçard introduced technical and stylistic innovations in Mallorcan painting.
2. Faldistory
The faldistory is a transportable seat used by bishops in some pontifical functions. This faldistory, designed by Antoni Gaudí, is considered a true jewel of Gaudinian furniture art.
3. Flemish tapestry collection
There are twelve tapestries from the 16th century that Canon Jeroni Garau donated to the Cathedral in 1607. He bought them in Rome and they were woven in Brussels. In total, eleven tapestries have a religious theme and one has a secular theme.
4. Tomb of Fra Pere Bennasser
It is from the 14th century and comes from the Santo Domingo convent. Pere Bennàsser was a noble descendant of Muslims who took a vow of poverty to join the Dominican order. His tomb is an example of the austerity and importance and cult of death in the Middle Ages.
5. Altarpiece of Saint Paul
This altarpiece presides over the chapel of Saint Paul, from the year 1385. It has a Gothic style and was made by Pere Marçol. Appears Saint Paul, and next to him, Bishop Antoni de Galiana, promoter of the work. On the sides there are scenes from the life of the Saint.
6. Baptism of Jesus
It is a painting attributed to the Valencian painter Juan de Juanes and made between 1540 and 1545. It represents the moment when Saint John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Juan de Juanes is the main representative of the Valencian Renaissance.
7. Shovel of Passion
It is a piece made between 1290 and 1305. It comes from the Monastery of Santa Clara and stylistically connects with the workshops of Siena. It is divided into four registers, the upper three are dedicated to the Passion of Christ and in the lower one there are scenes of saints.
8. Crucifixion of Jesus
The painting, made by Pere Terrencs and/or Alonso de Sedano and executed in 1514, represents Jesus crucified. At the bottom are the Virgin, Mary Magdalene and the apostle John. In the background appears the Three Marías and a group of soldiers.
9. Trinity Table
Coming from the Cathedral and dating between 1523 and 1525, it is a popular votive offering donated by several noble families to the Cathedral. He is one of the few surviving examples in Europe of the representation of the Trinity in three persons.
10. Betrothal of Mary and Joseph
It is a Renaissance work from the 16th century that represents the moment in which Mary became engaged to Joseph. Mary appears surrounded by other men, all of them carry a staff but only Joseph's is in bloom, a symbol that he has been chosen as Mary's husband.
11. Triptych of Mendía
It is a work from the 16th century and comes from the possession of Mendía, Manacor. It is attributed to Fernando de Coca, educated in Valencia and Italy, who introduced the Renaissance to Mallorca. Appears the Annunciation, Saint Anthony the Abbot and Saint Christopher.
12. Virgin of the Rosary
This painting is attributed to the Oms workshop and is from the 17th century. It shows the Virgin Mary, with the Child in her arms, and surrounded by roses, which refer to the mysteries of the rosary. The three colors of the rose symbolize the mysteries of joy, pain and glory.
13. The Solitude of the Virgin
It is a work of the painter Ricard Anckermann and it was made in 1887. The Virgin, Mary Magdalene and Saint John appear alone and grieving over the death of Jesus. On the ground there are some elements of the Passion such as the crown of thorns, the nails or the tunic.
14. Virgin with the Holy Trinity
It is a painting attributed to the workshop of Juan de Juanes from the 16th century. The Virgin appears, next to the Trinity, with a pink tunic and blue mantle, standing on a crescent and surrounded by Marian symbols.
15. Sarcophagus of James II
It is a sarcophagus, designed by Francesco Sabatini and executed by Santi Penachi, which was commissioned by King Charles III. It was made in 1779 in neoclassical style. It was used until the middle of the 20th century, when a new burial was made.
16. San Cristobal
It is an emblematic work of the Museum, it was made by Miquel Bestard in the 17th century. Saint Christopher is a legendary saint who helped Jesus cross a dangerous river. His name means bearer of Christ and he is considered the patron saint of travelers.
17. Saint Catherine Thomas
It is a baroque painting from the 18th century. It represents Saint Catherine Thomàs, the only saint of Mallorca. She appears wearing a habit and kneeling in an attitude of prayer next to an angel who shows her the vision of the Child Jesus.
18. Santa Clara
It is a Gothic table from the 16th century. Saint Clare is represented, with the habit of her order, crosier, crown and holding a monstrance. In the background the idealized city of Palma is represented. The only realistic element is the Bellver castle.
19. Sarcophagus with the apostles
It serves to contain an image of the Sleeping Virgin Mary. It dates from 1580 and it is attributed to the López workshop. The 12 apostles are represented. The image of Jesus stands out, who makes a gesture of blessing with one hand and with the other holds the soul of Mary.
20. Drac de na Coca
The legend explains that, in the 17th century, the dragon terrified all the people of Palma until the knight Bartomeu Coch killed it and gave it to his beloved Catalina Rosselló. It became part of the collection and is now part of
Apparition of Christ to Mary (Ca. 1500) by Pere Terrencs (attribution)Catedral de Mallorca
These works and many others of iconography and religious use, as well as others of archaeological origin, decorative arts, pieces of ethnographic value and curiosities are what make up the MASM collection, a collection with more than 100 years of history.
