Master Mateo

St James, from the Portico of Glory (Portico di Gloria), c.1168–88, Granite, Santa Apostólica y Metropolitana Iglesia Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela; PRISMA ARCHIVO / Alamy Stock Photo

To Sit, One at Your Right Hand

Commentary by Martin Warner

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This statue of St James is part of the eleventh-century Portico of Glory in the cathedral dedicated to him, Catedral Basílica de Santiago de Compostela. It is the work of Master Mateo and is remarkable for the astonishing delicacy of its carving in granite. James is situated at the centre of the pillar (trumeau column) underneath Christ seated in Majesty, greeting those who enter. Pilgrims are invited to see themselves as sharing a history with the biblical prophets, evangelists, and the heavenly host who are depicted in stone all around him.

There are two apostles called James. One of them, later known as James the Great, is a son of Zebedee, and the brother of John—traditionally thought to be the author of the Gospel, the Johannine Letters, and Revelation (the book whose vision of heaven the Portico of Glory evokes). The other is James, son of Alpheus, later known as James the Less.

We know more about James the son of Zebedee. He was a fisherman. He and his brother had a nickname: Boanerges (‘sons of thunder’). James offended King Herod (likely Herod Agrippa I) and was the first disciple to be martyred (Acts 12:2). This was his experience of baptism into the eternal life of Jesus Christ (Mark 10:35–45).

Today, he is best known for being the patron saint of pilgrimage. The camino, or pilgrimage road, to Santiago de Compostela is taken by people of all faiths and none. The scallop shell has become his symbol, reminding sea-going pilgrims that he was also a fisherman.

The pilgrims’ destination is the Romanesque cathedral that houses what are traditionally believed to be the Apostle’s relics. But the Portico of Glory allows St James to tell a greater story. In other examples of Romanesque doorways (e.g. Chartres, Autun, Rouen, Reims) the figure on the central pillar is standing. In Compostella, St James is seated, as though a bishop, for whom the chair (cathedra, in Latin) is the emblem of their teaching office in succession to the Apostles.

James is also holding a pilgrim’s staff, symbolic of leading a pilgrim Church, and a scroll which says, Misit me Dominus, ‘the Lord sent me’: to tell us about heaven.

 

References

Murray, Peter and Linda Murray (eds). 1996. The Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture (Oxford: Oxford University Press), pp. 248–49

See full exhibition for Matthew 19:28; 20:20–28; Mark 10:35–45; Luke 22:24–27

Matthew 19:28; 20:20–28; Mark 10:35–45; Luke 22:24–27

Revised Standard Version

Matthew 19

28Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Matthew 20

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebʹedee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebʹedee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 43But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 22

24 A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves.

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