Altar Predella and Socle of Archbishop Don Dalmau de Mur y Cervelló 1453 - 1461

This altar predella and socle was carved in the late fifteenth century by the sculptor Francí Gomar. It was designed to be placed in front of an altar piece commissioned by Archbishop Don Dalmau de Mur y Cervelló, who’s coat of arms can be seen clearly on the front panels. This piece demonstrates the prominent role the Catholic Church held in late medieval Spain. Commissioning artwork such as this was an important way to display power, wealth, and influence at the time. The Archbishop had a clear interest in using art as a tool for solidifying his institutional status and reputation. The scenes depicted, such as the Last Supper, would have been readily understood by the church-going public, while the Archbishop’s coat of arms on the socle serve as a reminder of who is in charge. In understanding such works, we depend on the historical record, including church archives, biographies, and other documents that allow us to piece together the complex social relations that gave rise to this kind of cultural production.