Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: portrait

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). On the left (north) side is a procession of the 22 virgin martyrs, above them are Apostles and Prophets. On the upper band are small mosaics, depicting Jesus' miracles and parables. See previous upload. Here are portraits of three of the 22 virgin martyrs. These mosaics were created during the Byzantine time under the rule of the Emperor Justinian I, mid 6th century. The mosaics have been renovated during the 19th century and again after WWI, as the church was hit by a bomb. Some scholars claim, that they are "over renovated".

San Andrés was erected on a little hill, that was settled already in pre-Roman times, as recent excavation proved. The tiny hamlet Soto de Bureba is part of the village Quintanaélez (pop. ~ 100). An inscription above the portal gives the construction date of 1175. During medieval times the area must have been much more densely populated, as later even a second nave was added to the structure. The parish church is known for its wonderful, sculpted portal, seen here. The arches have an interesting, but somehow strange iconography. Some of the icons are pretty unique. There is a collection of really fantastic and mythical beasts. Here is the left face (see previous upload for an overview). It is for sure a portray of an individual. The eyes are different and have pupils. The man has already a receding hairline and sorrowful frowns his forehead. It looks like he is going to cry in a minute..

San Andrés was erected on a little hill, that was settled already in pre-Roman times, as recent excavation proved. The tiny hamlet Soto de Bureba is part of the village Quintanaélez (pop. ~ 100). An inscription above the portal gives the construction date of 1175. During medieval times the area must have been much more densely populated, as later even a second nave was added to the structure. The parish church is known for its wonderful, sculpted portal, seen here. The arches have an interesting, but somehow strange iconography. Some of the icons are pretty unique. There is a collection of really fantastic and mythical beasts. To the very left is an uncommon lion/fish chimera, that is easy. The three faces are more difficult. The perspective differs from right to left, the heads grow. To the very right is a hooded person with arms (child?), in the center just the chest can be seen (mother?) and on the left is a very detailed head (father?). These are for sure portraits - and when they were carved, anybody here, knew the names of the persons depicted.

San Pedro de Echano (aka "Ermita de San Pedro de Echano") is not easy to find, as the church is a few kilometers east of Oloriz in the middle of fields and bushland. In medieval times, when the church got erected, there might have been a village or settlement nearby, but nowadays there are no houses near to the church. This church was a big surprise and I was lucky, to find the door open. A wedding was scheduled for that afternoon and so the interior of the church got cleaned and decorated. Under the roof of San Pedro de Echano are more than 30 carved corbels. Some of the sculptures are unusual, as they seem to be "portraits" of individuals (see previous uploads). Here is another portrait. Though the church is devoted to Saint Peter and the person is holding a key, he cannot be Saint Peter. This sculpture depicts an individual, wary doorman. I am not sure about the backpack he seems to carry.

San Pedro de Echano (aka "Ermita de San Pedro de Echano") is not easy to find, as the church is a few kilometers east of Oloriz in the middle of fields and bushland. In medieval times, when the church got erected, there might have been a village or settlement nearby, but nowadays there are no houses near to the church. This church was a big surprise and I was lucky, to find the door open. A wedding was scheduled for that afternoon and so the interior of the church got cleaned and decorated. Under the roof of San Pedro de Echano are more than 30 carved corbels. Some of the sculptures are unusual, as they seem to be "portraits" of individuals. This is one of them. An elderly man, elegantly clothed, with a very long, well combed beard.

San Pedro de Echano (aka "Ermita de San Pedro de Echano") is not easy to find, as the church is a few kilometers east of Oloriz in the middle of fields and bushland. In medieval times, when the church got erected, there might have been a village or settlement nearby, but nowadays there are no houses near to the church. This church was a big surprise and I was lucky, to find the door open. A wedding was scheduled for that afternoon and so the interior of the church got cleaned and decorated. Under the roof of San Pedro de Echano are more than 30 carved corbels. A group of musicians has gathered under the roof, this one, holding a vielle, differs from the other, not only as this guy is clothed more luxuriously. There are some unusual carvings here, that look a bit like portraits. A "typical Romanesque" sculptures would depict rather a "typical musician", but this is more an individual person.