The Amatller Retable. Dominus Deus illuminabit illos

The Amatller Retable, dating from between the second quarter and middle of the thirteenth century, is a rare example of this altar decoration typology, featuring painting on wood. Produced by a workshop active in the diocese of Urgell, probably in or near Cerdanya, it emerged in a context of political and religious conflict. Despite its seemingly generic composition and simple technical execution, the iconography of the panel – both figurative and aniconic – is probably rooted in an orthodox reading of the Gospel of John , suggesting it may have served as a visual response to Catharist doctrine.