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A Carmelite Museum in Andalucia (Spain) |
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Curia OCD
ROMA (15-04-2008).- We would like to encourage communities which have a notable artistic patrimony to consider placing it on public display so that people can admire it. It is a cultural contribution which people appreciate and enjoy. This is what the Discalced Carmelite Nuns from Antequera, Andalucia, did. Their foundation dates back to 1632. The Church was built between 1707 and 1734, with many baroque elements by the great artist Antonio Ribera. In the interior of the convent there is a fine collection of works of art, the fruit of many legacies. The first point which should be commended is that they have been jealously preserved.
In 1998, with the advice and financial contribution from various competents bodies, a museum was prepared. They had to carry out a considerable amount of work to adapt the place. They succeeded in creating an ensemble between the chapel, sacristy and other adapted rooms. The result was a conventional museum of enormous interest and greatly appreciated by tourists. Paintings and sculptures are on show in their proper enviroment within the convent but separate from the cloister.
The exhibition begins in the chapel, with the reredos of the main altar (1763-1797) and the side altars with niches, angels carry lamps, and golden framed mirrors. The statutes are in the mannerist and rococo styles (XVII century). Here too hang the tappestries of Peter Anastasius Bocanegra and the Mexican Antony de Torres. In the sacristy one can admire two interesting paintings from the end of the XVIII century, which came from Latin America. In the Tribunal is the sculptured head of Our Lady of Sorrows by Peter de Mena (1751), as well as polychrome sculptures, marble sculptures, mannierist paintings by Antony Mohedano de la Gutierra. In the next room are the sculptures by the neopolitan artist Nicholas Fuma (1705), and works by silversmiths. There are other paintings and portraits, like the contemporary portrait of St John of the Cross, a great custody from 1654, a reliquary with a hand written letter by St Teresa to Roque de Huerta (14-06-1577). Fascinating is the portrait by Lucas Giordano, who represents St Teresa with pen in hand, looking down on the room which has been named after her. Special mention ought to be given to the room of the Nativity with its image of the Infant Jesus as a little shepherd, by Francis Salcillo.
The museum in the convent of the Discalced Carmelites of Antequera has been converted into a truly attractive cultural centre for the city and is an example of what can happen when the hidden treasures in our cloisters are opened to the public.
To find out more information you can log on to their internet site:
www.museoconventualantequera.com. Or you can say what you think about it on:
www.info@museoconventualantequera.com.
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