The Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla has completed a restoration campaign for 12 works by the renowned 17th-century sculptor Juan de Mesa, in preparation for the upcoming exhibition dedicated to his life and work.
Culture Minister Patricia del Pozo highlighted the exhibition as an opportunity to restore outstanding pieces, including the 'Virgen con el Niño' (or 'Virgen de las Cuevas') and 'San Juan Bautista', both part of the museum's collection. The restoration efforts also included the 'Cristo de la Conversión del Buen Ladrón', from the Montserrat brotherhood in Seville.
"The exhibition dedicated to Juan de Mesa has given us the chance to intervene comprehensively or carry out conservation treatments on a dozen works by the artist, most of which belong to parishes, brotherhoods, and religious orders," explained del Pozo.
Among the notable restorations were the figures of 'San Ignacio de Loyola' (1622) from the parish of San Francisco in El Puerto de Santa María, 'San Eloy' (circa 1618) from the Santa Cruz parish in Seville, and 'San Carlos Borromeo' (1618) from the hospital church of Nuestra Señora de la Paz in Seville. Three of Mesa's images held by the museum were also restored, including the 'San Ramón Nonato' (1626), which depicts the saint in the habit of the Merced Calzada order.
The 'Virgen con el Niño' and 'San Juan Bautista', both created in 1623, were originally commissioned to Juan Martínez Montañés, but the project was later taken over by his most talented pupil, Juan de Mesa. The contracts reveal a significant difference in fees, with Montañés initially set to receive 13,269 reales, while Mesa was contracted for just 2,500 reales.
The exhibition 'Juan de Mesa (1583-1627)' is set to open on 18 November and aims to explore the evolution of Mesa's work, showcasing a variety of themes, including scenes from the Passion of Christ, which were often commissioned by penitential brotherhoods. The exhibition will feature a total of 47 works, displayed in the museum's temporary exhibition hall.
Notable pieces include the 'Cristo de la Vera Cruz' from Las Cabezas de San Juan and the 'Cristo de la Buena Muerte' from the Estudiantes brotherhood, alongside the 'Cristo de la Conversión' from Montserrat. The exhibition will conclude with the 'Virgen de las Angustias', the final work of Mesa.
Works for the exhibition have been sourced from various brotherhoods and parishes, including Montserrat, the Estudiantes, and the Amor brotherhood in Seville, as well as from institutions such as the University of Seville and the Museo Nacional de Escultura in Valladolid.
