Friday 6 November 2020

A medieval mason shows his face at Compostela


The discovery of what appears to be a self-portrait by one of the twelfth century sculptors engaged in carving capitals for the nave of the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela has been picked up by two websites. Described - slightly tiresomely in my opinion - as a medieval “selfie” it can be seen and is discussed in an article from The Guardian at A selfie set in stone: hidden portrait by cheeky mason found in Spain 900 years on, and in one from LifeScience Essentials at Long-hidden 'selfie' of a medieval mason found in historic Spanish cathedral

The pilgrimage and shrine at Santiago was supported and encouraged by the Cluniac Benedictines and along the land routes to Galicia through southern France and northern Spain are numerous examples of sculpture in the Cluniac tradition. This distinctive style - almost a brand identification for the Cluniac and their spirituality - is illustrated by many of the photographs in this link here on Pinterest including the great west portal of the cathedral at Compostela.


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