Pala d'Oro
The Pala d' oro (Italian about "golden altar " of pala " altarpiece ", from Latin palla " upper garment, curtain " ) is a product manufactured from gold, silver, enamel work and precious stones reredos in St Mark's Basilica in Venice.
Description and Installation
The Pala d' Oro is not only the most famous single work of art inside the most richly decorated basilica of San Marco, but one of the most magnificent Christian altarpieces at all. With help from the imposing dimensions of 3.45 meters wide and 1.40 meters high, the precious equipment at: 83 made in cloisonné technique email images, 74 email medallions, 38 golden miniature busts, gold and Silbergravierungen and gold filigree and 2,486 jewels - 526 pearls, 330 grenade, 320 emeralds, 255 sapphires, amethysts diverse, rubies, topazes and carved Kameeen adorn the plant. For this more material wealth comes the most part excellent artistic execution.
The frontal is divided horizontally into two zones, a base and a lower attachment, which are summarized by a golden decorated with filigree, precious stones and semi-plastic saints busts frame. The center of the base accepts a representation of Christ as Pantocrator in a mandorla one. It is surrounded by four medallions depicting the canonical evangelists. About Christ the Holy Spirit as a dove are (center, called Hetoimasia ) and shown Cherubim and Seraphim left and right under him in three individual figures, Maria ( center), the Empress Irene of Athens (left ) and the Doge Faliero Ordelafo (right ), which announced the expansion of the altarpiece in the 12th century in order. The latter image originally created to match the picture Irene the Emperor John Comnenus is, but was fashioned by the Venetians for their purposes.
Engel ( above), the twelve apostles (center) and Old Testament prophet (bottom) left and right of this central panel are one above the other in three rows shown. The frame of the base take approximately square enamel panels depicting the life of Christ ( across the top ) and of Mark the Evangelist (vertical left and right) as well as the transfer of the relics of St. Mark in Venice (bottom right) a. - Center of the essay is the Archangel Michael. In three arcades on either side of him scenes from the life of Jesus are presented: left the Entry into Jerusalem, Christ's descent into hell and the Crucifixion, Right Ascension, the miracle of Pentecost and Mary's death and ascension.
Formation
Despite their uniform effect in the spirit of Venetian Gothic style of the 14th century, there is a gradually arisen ensemble. The oldest parts, namely the small circular medallions on the outer frame strip, originate from a year 978 (according to other sources: 976 ) of Byzantium introduced Antependium of silver, which was given probably by the former Doge Pietro I Orseolo. In 1105 the Doge Faliero Ordelafo let rework and enlarge the panel; were used for this extension in Venice itself, the left, right and made above the lower main field mounted square enamel plates with scenes of the New Testament and from the life of St. Mark. Order 1209 was created under the Doge Pietro Ziani the essay, the great arcade shaped enamel plates were used, which the Venetians had stolen in 1204 in conquered Byzantium. Its present form was given the Pala d' Oro in 1345 during the Dogats by Andrea Dandolo with a renewed engaging makeover; there arose the other parts not mentioned so far. Was instrumental in the Venetian goldsmith Gian Paolo Buoninsegna, who also signed the board. Despite the different histories of the elements Buonisegna achieved a harmonious work.
List
The panel was previously shown only on holidays. It was a rule of the Pala Feriale covered, two painted wooden panels of Paolo Veneziano from 1345th The upper panel shows Christ on the cross, accompanied on either side of St. George, Mark, and the Madonna and St. John the Evangelist, the Apostle Paul and Saint Nicholas of Myra. The bottom row shows the discovery of the body of Saint Mark, and its conversion to Venice. Both the Pala d' Oro and the Pala Feriale are positioned today in St. Mark's Basilica, the Pala d' Oro at the back of the main altar overlooking the main apse.