Porta speciosa, Esztergom


György Klimó, Canon of Esztergom (1741-51) who had the picture painted wished to have it documented. Colours show polychromy of the portal which is produced by red and white marbles alternating rhythmically and wittily, and the dark blue background of encrustation's.

There are two lions facing one another by the orders of arches and jambs. To the right and left of the portal, there are three encrusted pictures one above the other in niches in a semi-circle: Daniel, Zachariah and Isaac are on the right, while John the Baptist and Ezekiel are on the left. Inscriptions help identification. The figure on the left was probably Jeremiah.

An angel, St. Peter, St. John and St. Adalbert appear on the right of the portal, and an angel, St. Paul, St. Matthew and St. Nicholas on the left. There is a building with the inscription BASILICA (Cathedral of Esztergom) on the lintel to the front, and Archbishop Job (IOB ARCHEPS) on the left. There is a building with battlement, CASTRUM, and the kneeling figure of Béla III (REX BELA) on the right. Evangelist symbols were also included.

Mary is sitting on the throne with her baby between angels in the middle of the spandrel. Bishop St. Adalbert, in full canonicals, is on her right, King St. Stephen with crown is on her left accompanied by figures in ecclesiastical dresses.

According to inscriptions, St. Stephen consigned his country to Mary on condition that the Archbishop and the King divide ecclesiastical and secular power between themselves.


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