An iconographic review of the Porch of Paraiso from the Fourth Lateran Council and the Tractatus of Poenitentieae

Abstract

The first half of the 13th century supposes the conclusion of the works at the porch of the Paraíso in the Ourense's cathedral, which finished the western nave of the temple. It's promoter, the bishop don Lorenzo wanted to show the penitential ideas of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) in its sculptures, from prophetic to apostolic figures that were illustrating the need of confession of the faithful and linked this cathedral to the new European sculptural programs.