Les âmes des martyrs persécutés. Autel mozarabe en T. Apoc. VI 

"The Souls of the Persecuted Martyrs," made around 1050 by Facundus, presents a visually striking composition dominated by strong vertical and horizontal lines that divide the space into distinct registers. Above, a bright red field hosts stylized gold objects and a T-shaped cross that anchors the upper part of the composition with symmetry. The middle ground, rendered in deep blue, is populated with white and yellow birds which adds a rhythmic pattern. Below this, rows of figures dressed in shades of red and yellow stand against a dark background which creates a dense, visually complex field. The semiotic structure here is fascinating. The birds might be seen as symbolic of souls, ascending to a higher plane after earthly suffering. The martyrs below, rendered uniformly, represent a collective identity forged through shared persecution. The gold elements at the top, hanging above the martyrs, could be interpreted as symbols of divine reward or heavenly light. The composition is less about individual identity and more about the semiotic encoding of collective experiences and shared fates. The visual language of this artwork is steeped in cultural and philosophical meaning. It asks us to contemplate the structure of faith, sacrifice, and redemption through its stark forms and symbolic elements."