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Capital with the Mouth of Truth
(Medieval Europe )
The scenes on this expressive capital and on its companion (Walters 27.305) have yet to be identified precisely but appear to involve tests of justice. This capital shows two men swearing an oath by placing their hands in the mouth of a Roman lion mask, "the mouth of truth," that will bite down on those who swear falsely. The capitals were made for the interior of a church and may illustrate stories from Spanish literature of the time, in which themes of virtue and justice were common.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Joseph Brummer, New York [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1921, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1954-1955 | Spanish Medieval Art. The Cloisters, New York. |
| 2024 | The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century. Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence. 0. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 6/23/1971 | Treatment | cleaned |
Geographies
Spain, Palencia (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 13 5/8 x W: 13 5/8 x D: 15 5/16 in. (34.6 x 34.6 x 38.9 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1921
Location in Museum
Centre Street: Third Floor: Migration and Early Medieval Art
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
27.304
