The mediaeval polychromy of the Majestic West Portal of Toro, Spain: insight into workshop activities of late mediaeval painters and polychromers

Abstract

Bridging the disciplines of easel painting, wall painting, sculpture and architecture, architectural polychromy once provided steady employment for mediaeval artisans, especially in Spain where the craft flourished from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. This paper explores the history and techniques of architectural polychromy through an investigative method that combines regional history, archival materials, scientific analyses, technical observation and reviews of published literature. The extensive data assembled during the World Monument Fund's project to study and conserve the Majestic West Portal of Toro, Spain, are compared with archival material and technical studies of European polychromed portals, to provide insight into the workshop activities of mediaeval painters and polychromers.