Altar Frontal from Sant Martí in Puigbò (12th century), MEV, Museu d’Art Medieval, Vic (Spain).
The Altar Frontal from Sant Martí in Puigbò is a beautiful example of Romanesque art from Catalonia, created between 1120 and 1150. The frontal features a geometric style typical of the Romanesque period, reflecting the religious and artistic values of the time. This anonymous work, likely painted by an artist influenced by the renowned Master of the Baldachin from Ribes, combines refined iconography with a popular artistic tradition.
The frontal, originally from the parish church of Sant Martí in Puigbò (located near Puigbò Castle in the Ripollès region), depicts four scenes from the life of Saint Martin, the church’s patron saint. The scenes are arranged in four compartments:
Saint Martin on horseback sharing his chlamys (a cloak) with a poor man, a well-known act of charity.
The resurrection of a convert, where Saint Martin brings a dead man back to life before he is baptized.
The death of Saint Martin, showing his final moments.
Two angels taking Saint Martin’s soul to heaven, symbolizing his divine reward.
These scenes are framed by a horizontal Latin inscription that reads: “For being generous with the poor man on Earth, Martin now resides in Heaven.” The work is noted for its bold use of color and simple, expressive figures, typical of the Romanesque style, which was intended to convey religious messages to a largely illiterate audience. The frontal serves both as a decorative and didactic piece, emphasizing Saint Martin's virtues of charity and faith.
