Altarpiece of Saints Michael and Anthony Abbot

This type of elaborately carved and painted altarpiece, called a retable, is found throughout Spain. While Martín painted much larger examples, incorporating many more tiers of panels, this is typical of Aragonese retables in its format and subject matter. The scenes from saints' lives and the Passion, the events leading up to and following the death of Christ on the cross, were often selected by the patron of the altarpiece, as were the size and elements of the frame. This altarpiece is dedicated to Saints Michael and Anthony Abbot, an archangel who conquered evil and a monk who overcame temptation.