Bernat Martorell and Rafael Gregori in Lleida and the polychrome alterpiece of the «Seu Vella»

Abstract

The pictorial activity in Lleida around 1440-1450 constitutes one of the most fertile periods not only because of the great number of documented works especially in the Seu Vella of Lleida, but also due to the presence in our city of artists such as the painter Bernat Martorell or the priest Rafael Destorrents, a minaturist expert, known as Rafael Gregori. The artistic direction of the polychrome of the Seu Vella 's main altarpiece, the second from their own factory, is due to these craftsmen under whose authority the painters Jaume Ferrer and Pere Texidor worked. The presence in Lleida of Bernat Martorell is well known in relation to the manufacture of the polychrome of the above mentioned altarpiece, which is not the case with Rafael Destorrents-Gregori. Only one documented reference, contributed by J. M. Madurell, locates him in our city in the year 1425. The exhaustive study of the existing documentation in the arxiu capitular of Lleida has allowed in to bring forward an earlier date, as well as allowing us to higtlight his ecclesiastic and artistic activity in ou town.