THE ALTARPIECE OF ST. MARTHA

Amongst other pieces in its collection, the Monastery of Pedralbes conserves this small altarpiece with three vertical sections in the shape of an inverted "T". The central section of the altarpiece is topped with a semi-circular arch and its foot has a skirting board. The structure of the altarpiece is similar to that of other works in, for example, the Mayer van der Bergh Museum, Antwerp, the Schnütgen Museum, Cologne and the Swedish church of Ytterselö  that were manufactured in Brussels workshops during the first quarter of the XVI century.

Compartments framed with trilobate arches with an ogee arch at the centre under rich tracery work  are made up of panels decorated to give the impression of glass windows converging towards their rear. Though the wings are missing, the altarpiece still has their hinges.

Only the figure that lends it name to the altarpiece has been conserved: a standing St. Martha with a praying nun kneeling at her feet. The flowing figure wearing with a kind expression is carrying an aspergillum or sprinkler and a small container of holy water in order to bless people. A few details of the way she is dressed, such as the shape of the neckline of her tunic, the slashed puffed sleeves, etc., all confirm the previously mentioned date.