One of Subirachs’ great intellectual and spiritual references was Ramon Llull, undoubtedly one of the most universal medieval philosophers. And precisely, the year 2016, the 700th anniversary of the death of the philosopher, theologian, and writer, was declared Llull Year (Palma 1232-1316). On this occasion, Enciclopèdia Art wanted to be present in the tribute that the country paid to one of Catalonia’s most universal figures in history. That is why, for the first time, we offered a bronze reproduction of a 1981 work by Josep Maria Subirachs, dedicated to Ramon Llull and his Ladder of Understanding.

This Ladder of Understanding (God, Angel, Heaven, Man, Beast, Plant, Flame, Stone) was one of the Lullian themes that most interested the sculptor. It is composed of eight steps, each of which symbolizes one of the creations: stone, flame, plant, beast, man, heaven, angels, God. The first three belong to the material world, while the latter three are part of the intellectual world. Man participates in both worlds, a duality that makes him both vicious and virtuous. The choice he makes will either lower him to the inferior steps or bring him closer to the superior ones.

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