Altar of Santa Maria de Taüll

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The most renowned altar frontals of Romanesque Catalonia feature a table painted with tempera, sometimes accompanied by relief stucco. However, alongside this technique existed other possibilities, such as fresco painting or sculpture in stone, marble, or intricately carved polychrome wood, like the present example. Some details on the coating meticulously imitated the opulence of precious metals. The Santa Maria de Taüll altar frontal is part of a notable discovery made early in the 20th century within the churches of the Boi Valley and stands out as one of the highest-quality pieces crafted by workshops from Ribagorça. These artworks are characterized by their clear forms, a certain strength comparable to monumental sculpture sets produced during the second half of the 12th century. Their composition and iconography are very common in this region. At the center of the registry appears Christ in Majesty, situated within the mandorla surrounded by the symbols of the evangelists, with remnants still visible. On either side, two levels feature the figures of apostles arranged beneath an arcade. The figures were carved from pine wood and retain significant polychrome remains.