Artwork
Consecration inscription from Sant Climent de Taüll

Consecration inscription from Sant Climent de Taüll is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Master of Taüll. It dates from 1123 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
The work is a circular painted inscription dating to 1123, attributed to the anonymous Master of Taüll. Executed on a brown ground, it features black and white lettering framed by a stark black border. The piece functions as a liturgical text, recording the consecration of the church of Sant Climent de Taüll, and is now displayed in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
Subject & Meaning
The inscription records the dedication ceremony of the Romanesque sanctuary at Sant Climent de Taüll, listing the date, patron, and ecclesiastical officials involved. Its purpose was both documentary and devotional, affirming the sanctity of the space and the authority of the clergy who oversaw its consecration.
Technique & Style
Rendered with mineral pigments on a prepared panel, the text employs a medieval script characterized by angular, incised letters and occasional decorative symbols. The contrast between the dark border and the lighter interior enhances legibility, while the careful brushwork demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship typical of early 12th‑century Catalan workshops.
History & Provenance
Created in the early Romanesque period, the inscription remained in situ at Sant Climent de Taüll until it was transferred to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya as part of the museum’s collection of medieval Catalan art. Its preservation offers insight into the liturgical practices and artistic conventions of the region during the early 1100s.
Artist & collection
Artist
A fresco painter from the 12th century, this anonymous artist decorated the walls of two small churches in a remote Catalan valley.










