El Portal del mirador de la Catedral de Mallorca: noves perspectives iconogràfiques

Authors

  • Cristina Menzel Sansó

Abstract

Musical iconography figures prominently in the sculptural group of Majorca Cathedrals Mirador Doorway. These reliefs and sculptures were made in the last half of the 14th century by a group of both local and foreign master builders and sculptors. Accordingly, different artistic trends from the Mediterranean as well as northern Europe converged in this work. The iconographic programme stands out for the presence of a whole series of angel musicians on the archivolt, on the mullion dividing the doorway and on the side walls. In a recent restoration of the doorway, direct access was gained to the sculptures and reliefs, giving a close-up look that revealed traces of the original presence of metal strings on some of the chordophones held by the angels on the archivolt. This peculiar feature introduced by the sculptors gave the sculptural group a very realistic appearance and probably produced a great visual impact. Due to its strategic position overlooking the sea, the Mirador Doorway was the cathedrals most emblematic entrance, receiving for this reason a suitably important iconographic treatment.

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Published

2013-02-21

Issue

Section

Articles