Altarpiece from the Sant Miquel Church in Castelló d’Empúries

The Sant Miquel altarpiece is one of the most spectacular examples of medieval Empordà painting. Only a part of it is preserved and it must have been very big originally. There are four scenes represented: Saint Michael defending the body of Moses; Jesus forgiving the living and the dead; the Mass of Souls and the appearance of Saint Michael to Pope Gregory the Great; and finally the procession to Mount Gargan. The gilding and reliefs surrounding the images are outstanding. Of the four scenes, the representation of some Jews with the negative features that were applied to them at the time stands out: above all they resorted to stereotyped clichés that were not true, such as the portrayal of an elongated and large nose. The altarpiece is on display in the Throne Room of the Episcopal Palace, home to the Girona Art Museum.

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