FRAGMENT OF THE NATIVITY ALTARPIECE

ALTERATIONS 

The relief has undergone several, quite important transformations. Until such times as an exhaustive technical analysis of the altarpiece is carried out, it remains very difficult to determine the exact source of manufacture, corresponding style or period of each of the two levels and the conclusive confirmation of the addition of later pieces.

On one hand, the original altarpiece frame has not survived to the present and the difference in height observed in the two levels, one being offset to the other, in addition to our observing uncarved portions between them, remains vertical thanks to a simple wooden structure that was manufactured only recently. The attack of xylophagous insects (Anobium punctatum and another, larger insect) is significant and some volumes have been lost completely, such as the front piece under the manger, the feet of the Infant, some phalanges in hands and the figure of the angel to which the shepherds are lifting their eyes, are all missing.

On the other hand, as we have seen, the relief's original polychrome decoration has been hidden by later re-painting and the colouring seen today greatly detracts from the quality of the relief as a whole.