“Angel vihuelist”, Toledo Cathedral, Capilla Mayor, part of the altarpiece.
(1502) - Toledo Cathedral, Capilla Mayor.
instrument: | century: 16cent | catalogue nº: 16-100a
Artwork
Creator Sebastián Almonacid, Diego Copín de Holanda, Cristiano de Holanda and Felipe Vigarny
Medium Artwork: Sculpture
Location
City Toledo | Region Castilla-La Mancha | Old kingdom Castile
Characteristics
| Body Corners | Strings 4 strings | Neck Medium | Pegbox Angled flat |
| Bridge Tailpiece | Frets No | Back Flat | Pegs Rear |
| Technique None |
Commentary
ARTWORK
Sculpture of an angel playing the vihuela. Part of the “Madonna and Child” [La Virgen con el Niño] in the centre of the altarpiece of the Capilla Mayor, Toledo Cathedral, This figure stands on the left of the virgin (on the virgin’s right). On the other side of the virgin is another angel playing a lute (16-100b). More about the artwork ➞16-100.
INSTRUMENT
Vihuela with elongated cornered waists, tailpiece, no bridge medium neck, flat rectangular pegbox, slightly angled towards the back, In addition to a central circular soundhole there are two long f holes. The strings, tailpiece, nut, and pegholes appear to painted onto the sculpture, rather than carved.
The sculpture appears to have undergone restoration at some time between c.1980 and 2011. In the most recent photo available (2011) angel’s left arm has been restored but the body of the vihuela is missing. It appears to have been broken in the vicinity of the neck-body join.
See: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catedral_de_Toledo.Altar_Mayor(detalle_15).jpg
Alvarez (alvarez1982, 873) describes it as follows: "La Virgen y él Niño" . Predelà del retable de la Capi11a Mayor de la Catedral, obra de Sebastian Almonacid, Diego Copxn de Holanda, Cristiano de Holanda y Felipe Vigarny (estilo hispanoflamenco). Vihuela con escotada aros en forma de C muy alargada en los costados de la caja, largo mâstil y clavijero plano, rectangular, ligeramente curvado hacia atrâs y con cuatro clavijas. Tiene el mismo, numéro de cuerdas, cordai triangular, un orificio circular central y dos en forma de S. La tañe un ángel pulsando sus cuerdas con los dedos (lâm. 110) I. V.