Who painted Pleurants?

Pleurants was painted by Unknown in 1298.

Where can I see Pleurants?

Pleurants is held by Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

What movement is Pleurants?

Pleurants is associated with Gothic painting.

Artwork

Pleurants

Unknown , 1298

Pleurants is an unspecified painting by the Gothic painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1298 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

About this work

Overview

Pleurants is a painted work depicting a compact group of figures clad in long, striped robes of brown, black and orange. The composition is set against a warm, golden background, and each figure touches its own face, conveying a collective expression of sorrow. The painting is part of the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents mourners in flowing garments, their gestures of hand‑to‑face suggesting grief or lamentation. The title, Pleurants, which translates to “weepers,” reinforces the interpretation of the figures as participants in a ritual of mourning, likely reflecting a cultural or religious practice of communal sorrow.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a muted palette, the work employs broad, horizontal brushstrokes to define the striped robes, while the golden ground provides a luminous contrast. The figures are stylised rather than fully naturalistic, emphasizing the emotional tone through simplified forms and a restrained color scheme.

History & Provenance

The painting is currently housed in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, though details of its creation date, artist, and earlier ownership are not recorded in the available information. Its presence in the museum’s collection indicates recognition of its relevance to the institution’s focus on regional art history.

Context

Within the broader tradition of mourning imagery, Pleurants aligns with medieval and early modern depictions of professional mourners, often employed at funerary ceremonies. The use of collective gestures and uniform attire reflects a codified visual language that communicates communal loss across different cultural contexts.