MNAC's Romanesque Frescoes and Sculptures: A Guide to Barcelona's Medieval Treasures
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) in Barcelona houses an impressive array of Romanesque artworks, featuring frescoes from churches in the Pyrenees and important sculptures that have been on display since 1923. Among the collection are frescoes from Sant Joan in Boí, dating around 1100, and apse frescoes from Sant Pere del Burgal, which portray Countess Llúcia de la Marca. Noteworthy is the monumental Christ in Majesty from Sant Climent in Taüll (1123), celebrated for its geometric formality. Additionally, the Santa Maria church in Taüll showcases a Madonna with Child (1150–1200), while the cathedral of Urgell contributed an apse featuring Christ (1125–1150). The Batlló Majesty (ca. 1150) is a wooden Christ influenced by Byzantine textiles, and frescoes from Santa Maria in Sigena (1196–1208) were damaged in 1936.
Key facts
- MNAC houses Romanesque frescoes transferred from Pyrenean churches, displayed since 1923.
- Frescoes from Sant Joan in Boí (ca. 1100) show French stylistic influence.
- Sant Pere del Burgal frescoes (ca. 1100) depict Countess Llúcia de la Marca.
- Sant Climent in Taüll (1123) has a monumental Christ in Majesty.
- Santa Maria in Taüll (1123) features a Madonna with Child and a Descent from the Cross (1150–1200).
- Urgell cathedral apse (1125–1150) includes Christ with tetramorphs.
- Batlló Majesty (ca. 1150) is a wooden Christ with a tunic inspired by Byzantine and Hispano-Moorish textiles.
- Antependia from Cardet and Sant Martí in Gia (1250–1300) include one signed by Iohannes.
- Sigena chapterhouse frescoes (1196–1208) were damaged by fire in 1936.
- Sigena nunnery was founded by Queen Sancha of Castille.
Entities
Artists
- Iohannes
- Llúcia de la Marca
- Queen Sancha of Castille
- Alfonso II
- Ramon Berenguer I
Institutions
- Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
- Church of Sant Joan in Boí
- Sant Pere del Burgal monastery
- Church of Sant Climent in Taüll
- Church of Santa Maria in Taüll
- Cathedral of Urgell
- Church of Santa Maria in Cardet
- Church of Sant Martí in Gia
- Chapterhouse of Santa Maria in Sigena
- Palatine Chapel in Palermo
Locations
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Boí
- Pyrenees
- Taüll
- Urgell
- Seu d’Urgell
- Cardet
- Gia
- Ribagorza
- Sigena
- Catalonia
- France
- Palermo
- Italy