THE CRUCIFIXION ALTARPIECE

SUPPORT AND ELABORATION 

The altarpiece main frame is made of oak and has painted wings and ceramic tracery attached using wooden dowels. Clay reliefs comprising the scene are distributed on several different plaquettes cast from moulds. The clay figure of Christ has been assembled from pieces cast in three separate moulds: one for the body and two for the arms. The figure is attached to the wooden Cross by nails that are also made of wood. The clay plaquette with the two thieves also includes their crosses. The legs of both the thieves have also been cast in the same mould. Mary Magdalene clutching the Cross is on one plaquette while the group of five soldiers and a man are on another. Likewise, the figures of the Virgin, St. John the three Holy Women and the two soldiers* are on yet another. The last two plaquettes are identical to those conserved by the National Archaeological Museum, Madrid.  

Reliefs are combined with polychrome decorated vegetable motifs that are attached to the rear by iron nails, wooden dowels and twine attached to their rears.

*Data taken from the Restoration Dossier compiled by the Centre for the Conservation and Restoration of the Cultural Property of Castile and León, 2001.