THE CRUCIFIXION ALTARPIECE

TYPOLOGY 

The altarpiece has a similar format to the other two altarpieces currently conserved in the Monastery of San Antonio el Real; like them, it has one single rectangular compartment that is higher than its width although the relief is wider than its height due to the added canopy and openwork.

It does, however, present some rather unusual characteristics: the pattern of its openwork tracery is different. All traces of its patterns are of the same thickness and are based on quatrefoils with rosettes at their centres surrounded by triangular trefoil patterns with curved profiles.

The conception of the canopy is no different than that of the other two altarpieces: like them, it stands on the same plane and has a straight front made up of the same number of sections. Its design and decoration are also identical. There is, however, one more difference: its relief is framed by a concave moulding decorated with perforated vegetable motifs.

The altarpiece has two wings that protect the compartment when closed.