Spanish school. Aragon. 16th century. Lot n° 14

Spanish school. Aragon. 16th century. “Our Lady of Roncesvalles gives her heavenly sovereignty and strength to King Ferdinand I of Aragon, among his faithful followers and vassals, Mrs. Oliba and her husband, under the protection of their protectors, San Antonio Abad and San Blas” – originally 'La Virgen de Roncesvalles entrega su soberanía celestial y fuerza al Rey Fernando I de Aragón, entre sus fieles seguidores y vasallos Dña. Oliba y su marido, bajo el amparo de sus protectores, San Antonio Abad y San Blas' Tempera and gold background on panel. 136 x 182 cm. The altarpiece is made up of three panels. In the central one is Our Lady of Roncesvalles with the Child, surrounded by angel musicians, giving a fleur-de-lis to King Ferdinand I of Aragon, as identified by the mention 'D'Antequera'. The Virgin Mary 'touches' the King with her strength and with the fleur de lis gives him the mission of sovereignty, loyalty, honour, purity and spirit. To the right and left, the donors, Lady Oliba, as the inscription says, and her husband, are both protected by their devotional saints. She is with Saint Anthony, and he is with Saint Blaise. It is interesting to note that it is the lady donor who is mentioned on the altarpiece, therefore, she must have been an important personage. The most important and special thing about this panel is that it is not for private worship. No doubt it is a gift from the donors to their King. Transmitting their fidelity to him as his vassals, wishing and praying for him, as is his patron Virgin Mary, that of Roncesvalles, who grants him all the strength to be a good sovereign, bathed in God and His strength. They tell their king that in this worthy task of being sovereign and lord of all these lands and of all of us, the Virgin Mary is the one who gives protection. The King is given preponderance, in the centre with the Virgin Mary, because he is offering his life to her, and with faith he is shown that she is going to give him the strength to manage the great task of reigning over his subjects. The original carved, gilded and polychromed wooden crest is preserved. At the bottom is the inscription: 'Esta obra mando facer Ernan Gonçales de la Puerta en Onor e Reberencia de Nuestra Señora de Santa Maria de RocesVales e San Blas San Anton” (This painting was commissioned by Ernan Gonçales de la Puerta in honour and reverence to Our Lady of Roncesvalles, Saint Blaise and Saint Anthony).