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Rachis Altar

The Rachis Altar is one of the most important sculptures of the so-called Ratchis Renaissance. Dated between 737 and 744, when the Lombard Ratchis was duke of Friuli, it is now preserved in the Christian Museum of Cividale del Friuli, Italy. The altar measures 1.44 x 0.90 x 0.88 m and is made of four Aurisina marble panels. Its carved faces show a Latin inscription, the Visitation, Christ in Majesty within a vesica piscis supported by four angels, and the Adoration of the Magi. The surface still preserves traces of altered pigments, and the work was once highlighted with polychromy, glass paste, and gold leaf.

Relief panel from the Rachis Altar showing a seated central figure, two smaller figures, and surrounding winged haloed beings.
The front relief panel of the Rachis Altar, with a seated central figure framed by smaller figures and winged beings.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Rachis Altar relief with a robed haloed figure surrounded by winged haloed figures and an inscription along the top
The Rachis Altar shows the Majestas Domini relief with a central figure, surrounding angels, and carved decorative borders.
2024 © · CC0
Carved stone panel from the Rachis Altar with a haloed central figure, smaller saints, angels, and ornate foliage reliefs.
The Rachis Altar carved stone panel shows a central haloed figure surrounded by angels and smaller figures in intricate relief.
© K.u.k. Kriegspressequartier, Lichtbildstelle - Wien · Public domain
Rachis Altar with a haloed figure in a purple robe, surrounded by angels against a blue background.
A vivid reconstructed panel of the Rachis Altar, showing a haloed central figure surrounded by angels.
2024 © · CC0
Close-up of the Rachis Altar relief showing a haloed face, an outstretched hand, and carved floral patterns.
Detail of the Rachis Altar showing the Christ in Majesty relief with a haloed face and decorative carved motifs.
April 2011 © Wolfgang Sauber · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleRachis Altar
Alternative nameAltare del duca Rachis
TypeAltar

Historical context

Art historical periodLiutprand Renaissance
DateBetween 737 and 744
Historical contextMade during the period when Ratchis was Duke of Friuli

Creator

Associated rulerRatchis, Duke of Friuli at the time and later King of the Lombards

Discovery and provenance

Documented presenceAttested at the Church of San Martino in Cividale since 1568
ProvenanceTransferred in 1947 from the Church of San Martino in Cividale to the cathedral of Cividale del Friuli
Original locationChurch of San Martino in Cividale

Location and ownership

Current locationChristian Museum of Cividale del Friuli, Cividale del Friuli, Province of Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Physical characteristics

Dimensions1.44 × 0.90 × 0.88 m

Materials

MaterialFour slabs of Aurisina marble
Original embellishmentsPolychromy, glass paste, and gold leaf

Technique

TechniqueLow relief

Appearance

ColoringOriginally brightly colored, with significant altered pigment remains still visible on the front surface
Hierarchical scaleMore important figures are larger than less important ones, such as Mary larger than Elizabeth and Christ larger than the angels
Surface decorationHighly decorated surface in the horror vacui tradition
Figural distortionsSome figures are distorted, such as the angels' large hands holding the mandorla
Facial typeFaces with narrowed, inverted-pear-shaped chins
ComparisonResembles a monumental ivory casket
Stylistic characterStrongly two-dimensional, with figures standing out sharply from the background like a relief drawing
StyleHighly abstract, anti-naturalistic style with Late Antique roots and Byzantine iconographic models, marked by stylization and a calligraphic quality
Relic cavityA recess for relics on the side probably hidden from public view
Front sceneChrist in Majesty on the front face
Back decorationTwo Greek crosses decorated with rhombi and squares, a central rose, a five-pointed star in a circle below the fenestrella confessionis, and two rosettes at the lower corners
InscriptionLatin dedication inscription on the upper edge, running around the four sides
Relief scenesThe Visitation; Christ in Majesty; the Adoration of the Magi
Original architectural settingOriginally surmounted by a ciborium with a hanging ornament, perhaps a cross or a golden crown
Decorative frameBraided frame around the slab

Iconography and meaning

SymbolismThe anti-naturalistic form and former chromatic richness emphasize the sacred and symbolic value of the work
Adoration sceneThe Virgin sits on a tall wooden throne with the Child Jesus on her lap; the three Magi stand to the left bringing gifts; an angel above, placed horizontally, guides them
Visitation sceneThe Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
Christ in Majesty iconographyChrist rises to heaven inside a tree-like mandorla supported by four angels and flanked by two additional angels
Angelic iconographyThe flanking angels combine cherubim and seraphim iconography
Magi depictionThe Magi wear Asian-style garments, including Phrygian caps and draped robes
Virgin's attributeA cross is engraved on the Virgin's forehead

Inscription

Inscription languageLatin
Inscription typeDedication inscription
Inscription purposeRemembers Duke Ratchis as patron of the work
Inscription text"[M]AXIMA DONA XPI ADCLARIT SVB(L)EIMI CONCESSA PEMMONI VBIQVE D(E)I REFO / RMARENTUR UT TEMPLA NAM ET INTER RELIQVA / DOMVM BEATI IOHANNIS ORNABIT PENDOLA TEGURO PVLCHRO ALT / ARE DIDABIT MARMORIS COLORE RATCHIS HIDEBOHOHLRIT"
Inscription translationThe text says that Ratchis, using generous donations left for the glory of Christ by the sublime Pemmone to restore ruined churches, adorned among other things the church of Saint John, enriching the altar with a hanging cross placed under the ciborium, beautiful in marble color.
Translation note"hidebohohrit" is probably to be understood as meaning "great knight"