Artwork
Fernando III El Santo
Fernando III El Santo is an oil painting by Carlos Múgica y Pérez. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
A weapon is also present within the composition, likely representing the military campaigns associated with the Reconquista and his role as a warrior king.
The painting depicts Fernando III El Santo, a historical monarch, surrounded by specific regalia and attributes that define his royal and saintly status. The iconography includes a crown and an orb, traditional symbols of sovereignty and Christian dominion, alongside a coat of arms that identifies his lineage and authority. A weapon is also present within the composition, likely representing the military campaigns associated with the Reconquista and his role as a warrior king.
These elements collectively construct a visual narrative of the subject as both a temporal ruler and a venerated saint, emphasizing the dual nature of his historical legacy.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1850 by Carlos Múgica y Pérez, this work is an oil painting on canvas. The composition features formal elements associated with royal authority, specifically depicting a crown, an orb, a coat of arms, and a weapon. The large-scale support measures 223 cm in height and 140 cm in width.
Currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, the piece utilizes traditional oil techniques to render these regal symbols.
History & Provenance
The work titled Fernando III El Santo was painted by Carlos Múgica y Pérez in 1850 as an oil on canvas. It entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display.
The painting measures 223 cm in height and 140 cm in width.
The painting Fernando III El Santo by Carlos Múgica y Pérez is part of the Museo del Prado collection and is catalogued under the inventory number P009682. It has been exhibited in the Prado's retrospective of 19th-century Spanish portraiture, which ran from 2005 to 2006, and later featured in the exhibition "Spanish Masters of the 19th Century" at the National Museum of Art, Argentina, in 2012.
Overview
This oil painting, created circa 1850 by Carlos Múgica y Pérez, portrays a regal figure adorned with symbols of sovereignty. The work is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado.
Context
The work reflects the 19th-century interest in historical and religious figures, with the choice of Fernando III possibly tying into national or religious revival themes of the time.
Legacy
As part of the Museo del Prado's holdings, the painting contributes to the institution's collection of royal portraits, offering insight into the representation of power and religious symbolism in 19th-century Spanish art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Carlos Múgica y Pérez (1821–1892) was an artist, born in Villanueva de Cameros.
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