The church of San Martin at Fuentidueña probably functioned as the chapel for an adjacent castle. The plan, a long nave without projecting transepts or side aisles, is common for small Romanesque churches in Segovia. Also typical of the Romanesque period is the sober thick wall construction, interrupted only by small windows, and the rounded arches. An unusual feature of this apse is the large scale of the figures on piers. Saint Martin, patron of this church, is seen on the left, and the angel Gabriel’s Annunciation to the Virgin is depicted on the right. On a capital above the Annunciation is a scene representing the Nativity. The large capitals supporting the triumphant arch show, on the left, the Adoration of the Magi, and on the right, Daniel in the Lions’ Den. The niches in the wall probably were used in the Mass to hold bread and wine.
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Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
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Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
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Artwork Details
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Title:Apse from San Martín at Fuentidueña
Date:ca. 1175–1200
Geography:Made in Segovia, Castile-León, Spain
Culture:Spanish
Medium:Limestone
Dimensions:Apse interior: 30 ft. 2 in. × 24 ft. 7 in. × 27 ft. 8 in. (919.5 × 749.3 × 843.3 cm) b: (lion capital): 14 1/8 × 20 1/4 × 17 1/4 in. (35.9 × 51.4 × 43.8 cm) f: (pier with acrobat): 60 × 12 1/4 × 12 1/2 in. (152.4 × 31.1 × 31.8 cm)
Classification:Sculpture-Architectural
Credit Line:Exchange Loan from the Government of Spain
Accession Number:L.58.86a–f
From the church of San Martín at Fuentidueña, near Segovia
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Nancy Wu and Carol Symes discuss their preparations for a new production of The Play of Adam—the oldest medieval drama written in any language—at The Met Cloisters on December 17 and 18.
MetLiveArts Intern Karmen Wolf explores Morton Feldman's mammoth String Quartet No. 2, which the Calder Quartet will perform this fall at The Met Cloisters.
Philippe de Montebello, former Director of The Met, guides viewers through The Cloisters, pointing out Romanesque and Gothic architecture and artwork, beautiful tapestries, and the diverse species in the gardens. He outlines the history of the building and its many influences and highlights significant works of art in the collection.
The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.
