A sarcophagus effigy from 13th century Spain, the only large wooden figure from this period in the country, is being put on exhibition in the Main Hall of the Fogg Museum today.

From the tomb of Diego Garcia, an obscure knight who died in 1286, this reclining figure is unusually well preserved, a remarkable fact when it is considered that very few wooden statues of this period are in existence today.

A Memorial for Porter

Garcia's tomb is in a convent near Burgos. In 1921, the artistic and acheological interest of its effigy was recognized, and it was removed to Burgos, where it was put on exhibition. This winter it turned up in the New York market and was purchased by the Fogg as a fitting memorial for A. Kingsley Porter, late William Dorr Boardman Professor of Fine Arts and an authority on medieval archaeology. Paul J. Sachs '00, associate director of the Museum, believes this to be one of the most important acquisitions in several years.

Example of Secular Treatment

The figure is a fine example of late 13th century work, and sheds interesting light on the comparison of Spanish and French treatment of secular subjects. Although displaying most of the medieval tendencies toward identification, a trace of realism is shown in the closed eyes of the effigy, indicating death. The majority of French tomb figures are modelled with open eyes.

Its style is closely related to that of the sculpture in the Cathedral at Burgos, a key monument of Spanish art. Archeologically, coming from a dated sarcophagus, it is of importance in adding another placement date to the Cathedral.

Typical of this period, portraiture has been subordinated to the artist's desire of representing an ideal knight. The serene, dignified features of the effigy, majestically draped folds of the robe, and the time-scarred yet well preserved surface of the wood lends an atmosphere of permanence to this old statue which has reclined so calmly on its slab for over five centuries.