A month ago I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum and I could see the first spanish historic painting ever painted. "The Altarpice of St. George". This large reredos is a fine example of the Valencian school during the International Gothic Style in the first quarter of the 15th century. It was traditionally attributed to the German painter established in Valencia, Andrès Marçal de Sas (ca.1393-1410) although this attribution is still subject to debate.
This work which was probably destined to the Confraternity of the Valencian civic militia dedicated to St George and called the "Centenar de la Ploma". The company was originally founded as a company of hundred (centenar) archers in 1365 to defend their flag, the "Reial Senyera".
The altarpiece depicts the legend of the Christian warrior and martyr St George. He is venerated as the patron saint of several cities as Alcoy and countries in Europe including Venice and England. According to the legend, St George was a Roman soldier under the reign of Diocletian (244-311). When Diocletian promulgated an edict against the Christians, St George stood up and defended his faith before the Emperor.
The central panel illustrating the defeat of the Moors against the Christian army led by James I of Aragon (1213-1276) at the battle of El Puig. The victory was due to the providential help of the Saint who appeared to James I while fighting the Moors.
The Battle of the Puig was a battle of the Spanish Reconquista and of the Aragonese Conquest of Valencia. The battle took place in 1237, pitting the forces of the Crown of Aragon, under the command of Bernat Guillem d'Entença, against the forces of the Taifa of Valencia, under the command of Zayyan ibn Mardanish. The battle resulted in a decisive Aragonese victory and the conquest of Valencia by the crown of Aragon.
When I saw this Altarpice I was touched. I hope one day all the valencians could see this part of the history of our city. Probably tomorrow I'll make a paella and I'll come back to see it again to pay a tribute.
This work which was probably destined to the Confraternity of the Valencian civic militia dedicated to St George and called the "Centenar de la Ploma". The company was originally founded as a company of hundred (centenar) archers in 1365 to defend their flag, the "Reial Senyera".
The altarpiece depicts the legend of the Christian warrior and martyr St George. He is venerated as the patron saint of several cities as Alcoy and countries in Europe including Venice and England. According to the legend, St George was a Roman soldier under the reign of Diocletian (244-311). When Diocletian promulgated an edict against the Christians, St George stood up and defended his faith before the Emperor.
The central panel illustrating the defeat of the Moors against the Christian army led by James I of Aragon (1213-1276) at the battle of El Puig. The victory was due to the providential help of the Saint who appeared to James I while fighting the Moors.
The Battle of the Puig was a battle of the Spanish Reconquista and of the Aragonese Conquest of Valencia. The battle took place in 1237, pitting the forces of the Crown of Aragon, under the command of Bernat Guillem d'Entença, against the forces of the Taifa of Valencia, under the command of Zayyan ibn Mardanish. The battle resulted in a decisive Aragonese victory and the conquest of Valencia by the crown of Aragon.
When I saw this Altarpice I was touched. I hope one day all the valencians could see this part of the history of our city. Probably tomorrow I'll make a paella and I'll come back to see it again to pay a tribute.
Entradas
1 comments:
Great article, I've been searching a bit about Centenar de la Ploma and I found it: http://www.elcentenardelaploma.org
Publicar un comentario