Description

Sculpture-in-the-round in plaster, polychromed with a greenish patina imitating bronze hues. This is a full-length representation of Ferdinand the Catholic (Ferdinand II of Aragon). It features elements that are typically associated with him, such as the crown framing his long hair, the armour, the full cloak tied at the neck, the royal sceptre in his right hand, and a sword in his left. 

The ceremonial collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece hangs across his chest. This emblem was introduced to the Spanish monarchy by Charles V, but had been previously bestowed on others: John II of Aragon, Alfonso V of Aragon, and Ferdinand the Catholic.

Worthy of particular note are certain technical details such as the imprinted decoration on his armour, his crown and hair, and the slight contrapposto that lends a certain movement to the figure. The piece rests on a square plaster block of the same polychrome appearance as the sculpture itself. In its current location, the work is displayed on a large granite pedestal. 

In terms of iconography, the artists appear to have drawn inspiration from the attributes of Ferdinand the Catholic as depicted on his carved marble tomb in the Royal Chapel. This latter carving, on the sepulchre, appears alongside that of his wife, Queen Isabella I of Castile, who lies to his right.

History of the piece

Both sculptures are copies of the effigies of the Catholic Monarchs produced by brothers Miguel and Antonio Marín Torres for the Provincial Exhibition of Fine Arts, Industry and Agriculture. The event was organised on the occasion of the visit of Queen Isabella II to Granada, in 1862. The works were awarded the gold medal in their category. Their originals now belong to the heritage collection of Granada City Council.

Replicas of the two sculptures were specially made to go on display in the Arrayanes Courtyard during the gala dinner in honour of Isabella II, and were subsequently transferred to the premises of the Granada Provincial Government, which had organized the Fine Arts Exhibition. Finally, they were relocated to the Hospital Real Rectorate building, where they were discovered in storage in around 1980. It was at this point that the figures were placed in their present location. 

Both sculptures were restored in 2017.