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Saint James the Elder is depicted as a pilgrim, with his customary crozier or staff, although here it lacks the customary calabash for water. He wears a cape and a hat with the scallop shell that symbolizes the pilgrimage to Compostela, just as the Greek cross and palm did for pilgrims to Jerusalem and the double key and Speedwell for those headed to Rome. While the origin of the scallop shell rem
The naked Christ, crowned with thorns and with the marks of the Passion on his body, his hands bound and a rope around his neck, sits on a cold rock while resignedly waiting to be crucified. On the ground are his clothing and the bare cross. With no basis in scripture, this devotional image laden with drama became very successful at the end of the Middle Ages, especially in sculpture.
Documents at Palencia Cathedral cast light on this Crucifixion’s original location -the central row of the main altarpiece at that cathedral- and its author: Juan de Flandes (doc. 1496-1519). They also offer information about this panel between 1509, when that Flemish painter was commissioned to paint it, and 1944, when the Cathedral management sold it. Those same documents indicate that Palencia
In keeping with the style of his final years in Palencia, this Flemish painter increases the size of the three main figures- Christ blesses Lazurus, who rises from the tomb. His hand rests on the top of the coffin and his eyes have transformed into black pearls. One of his sisters —Martha, according to the Gospel of Saint John (11, 38-44)— kneels and extends her arms to him. The event takes place
In keeping with the Gospel according to Saint Luke (22: 39-46), Christ, far from the disciples, kneels down with his hands separated and prays to the Father to take away the cup of suffering he must drink, represented by the chalice on the rock. The three apostles who accompany him, Peter, John and James, are asleep. The painting comes from the main altar piece of the church of San Lázaro i
Hidden by a cloud, Christ ascends to heaven, watched by Mary and the apostles, amongst whom James is placed in a prominent position. He appears with a staff and a pilgrim’s hat. The upper part of Christ’s body is concealed, in order to focus attention on his footprints at the summit of the Mount of Olives. This and three other panels by Juan de Flandes (P02935, P02936, P02938) belonged to the main
According to the Acts of the Apostles (2: 1-41), the Virgin and the apostles were gathered in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended on them in the form of tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit is symbolized by the dove which flies over Mary, surrounded by a large circular halo. This and three other panels by Juan de Flandes (P02935, P02936, P02937) belonged to the main altarpiece at the Church
