Altarpiece of the Passion; Daroca Enamel Workshop, Zaragoza, 15th century.

Altarpiece of the Passion; Daroca Enamel Workshop, Zaragoza, 15th century.
Enameled silver.
Bears hallmarks.
Measurements: 80 x 57 x 6 cm.
A devotional altarpiece created in the enamel workshops of Daroca, one of the principal centers of the sumptuary arts in late medieval Aragon. The work stands as a remarkable testament to the quality achieved by Aragonese goldsmithing during the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, due both to the complexity of its iconographic program and to the rich colors of its enamels and the meticulous construction of its silver framework.
The ensemble is organized into three rows and three sections, divided into panels that narrate the main episodes of the Passion of Christ, from his entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection. The program culminates at the top with the Calvary, flanked by the four Evangelists, creating a visual narrative of profound liturgical significance. Its appeal lies especially in the combination of silverwork with intensely polychromatic enamel panels, in which blues, reds, whites, and greens create hallmarks of great visual richness. The enamels, integrated into a metal framework that delineates and organizes the various scenes, lend luminosity and depth to the figures and their backgrounds. An element of particular importance for cataloging is the presence of hallmarks on the reverse side, including the “Dar” mark, which identifies the piece as originating from Daroca. The reverse also features silver plaques decorated with figurative and plant motifs executed using a stippling technique, a detail that enhances the artistic appeal of the ensemble.
The piece finds its most significant parallel in the famous altarpiece of Santo Domingo de Silos, which originated in Daroca and is preserved at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, with inventory number CE51915. This set constitutes one of the most outstanding examples of the work of the enamel workshops of Lower Aragon and allows us to place this piece within an artistic tradition of extraordinary quality.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, Daroca was renowned for its workshops specializing in silverwork, painting, and other applied arts. Situated at a strategic location between the territories of Aragon, Castile, and the Levante, the city was an important political, commercial, and religious center during the Middle Ages. Following the Christian conquest of 1120, it assumed a prominent role in the organization of the region and underwent significant urban development. Its commercial activity, bolstered by the holding of fairs and its location along major trade routes, fostered the emergence of a dynamic artistic scene, supported by ecclesiastical institutions, private patrons, and a clientele capable of financing works of considerable complexity.