Cleveland Museum of Art

Pair of Panels from a Choir Stall

Date

c. 1330–1340

Medium

walnut

Culture

Spain, Catalonia, Monastery of Pedralbes, 14th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The two larger panels-shown here in a fanciful arrangement-were probably the end panels of two stalls that faced each other across the choir of a Gothic church. The third and smaller panel originated from an interior portion of one of these stalls. The first large panel is carved with the figure of St. Francis of Assisi kneeling in prayer and receiving the stigmata. Two standing figures also appear on this panel: a nun at the left (perhaps St. Claire) and a female martyr at the right. Below is St. Michael and the dragon. The second large panel depicts a seated pope, possibly Urban IV, who holds the keys of St. Peter and a book. The small panel shows a female figure in a long gown standing on a plinth above two of the apocalyptic beasts, the winged lion of St. Mark and the winged ox of St. Luke, which are supported by a wyvern (a heraldic winged dragon). Both sides of this interior panel are intended to receive the missing seats.

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