Bernat, Martín – Embarque en Jafa del cuerpo de Santiago el Mayor Part 5 Prado Museum

The composition presents a procession moving along a path towards a body of water. A substantial cart, drawn by two oxen – one reddish-brown and the other grey – dominates the foreground. Seated within the cart is a central figure, distinguished by his dark beard, hat, and attire in green and gold. He holds a staff, suggesting authority or leadership. Flanking him are several men, clad in varied garments of purple, blue, and fur-trimmed robes; their expressions appear solemn and attentive to the journeys purpose.
Behind this group, an architectural structure rises, featuring arched windows and a decorative frame. Within one window, three figures – a woman crowned with what appears to be jewels, accompanied by two younger individuals – observe the procession. Their placement suggests a position of power or privilege, perhaps witnessing a significant event from a safe distance. The sea stretches out beyond the architecture, dotted with small boats and a larger sailing vessel on the horizon.
The color palette is rich and earthy, with deep greens, browns, and purples contrasting against the lighter blues of the water and sky. The artist’s use of light emphasizes the central figure and the cart, drawing attention to their importance within the narrative. The rendering of the oxen exhibits a degree of naturalism, while the human figures are stylized, typical of the periods artistic conventions.
Subtleties in the scene hint at deeper meanings. The procession’s movement towards the water could symbolize a journey or transition – perhaps a passage to another realm or a symbolic cleansing. The presence of the crowned woman and her companions suggests divine sanction or royal patronage for the event unfolding below. The staff held by the central figure might represent spiritual guidance or temporal power, while the oxen themselves can be interpreted as symbols of strength, labor, or even sacrifice. The overall impression is one of solemnity, reverence, and a significant transfer or departure marked by ritualistic procession.