Estimate

20.000 - 30.000

Session

25 February 2013

Hammer Price

Description

Oil on canvas. early 17th century.
133x109 cm
Exhibition: Museu de S. Roque Mater Misericórdia 1995
Bibliography: exhibition catalogue pp. 16/17/18/19
Comandante alpoim Calvão Collection

Category

Paintings

Additional Information

The two paintings now on sale that once were part of a Misericórdias banner are despite its author remains unknown, two fine paintings that perfectly served its original purpose promulgated by royal edict about the representation in Portugal of Our Lady of the Mercy. As very well addressed by Joaquim Oliveira Caetano, in Europe is rare the regulation by law of the iconographic representation but it happened in Portugal and the Alpoim Calvãos banner, now on sale, is perhaps one of the first evidences of that regulation. After a long research occurred in the late 16th century it was proved that Frei Miguel Contreiras had been one of the founders of the Misericórdias and his portrait was a constant in early paintings of the Mater Ominae. On the September 15th of 1575 was determined that the representation of the Egregio Trino was to be depicted in every processional banners and accented by a series of details.The rules stated are so very strictly followed by the author of the banners now on sale that the translation of that edict exemptions the description of the paintings.
By common agreement and consent we determine that on the painting of the banners [the painter] depicts the Christ (the pity) on one part and on the other the Virgin (mother of the Misericórdia) , to her right hand a pope, a cardinal and a bishop (the head of the church) and a member of the Santíssima Trindade, serious, old and sick, on his knees and raised hands, with this letters FMI (Frei Miguel Instituidor): on the left side of the Lady a King and a Queen in memory of the king D. Manuel and the queen D. Leonor, as first brothers of this brotherhood; plus two elders, companions of the founder and at the Ladys feet some miserable people representing the poors.
Here is condensed and codified all the iconography of the Misericórdias banners and it takes the strength of law for all the representations around the country when Filipe II of Portugal (III of Spain) states, in 1627, that all the Misericórdias banners must be painted according to those of the city of Lisbon, with the portrait of the founder and the letters FMI, as well as all previous banners must be amended. We can strongly conclude that the Alpoim Calvão banner was executed right after this date once it was not painted for Lisbons Misericórdia and follows so strictly the rules.
The scene depicted on the other part of the banner, as seen regulated also by law, depicts the Christ and is also linked with foundation of the brotherhood. In fact the chapel on the Sé de Lisboa were the Misericórdia was created had been home to a brotherhood dedicated to the Pity. The Santuário Marino tells us that the brothers of the Pity had a banner with the representation of the Virgin with her death Son in her arms and this depiction was the symbol of the brotherhood. The main work of the brothers of the Pity was to assist those sentenced to death in their last days and were replaced by the Misericórdia. In order to prevent the forgetfulness of the order the sisters of the Misericórdia ordered that the representation of the Pity was always present.
Curiously in the banner now offered for sale the Virgin is not holding her Son in the arms but in a lateral scene is depicted the deposition of the Saviour by some men that can represent the brothers of the Pity Brotherhood accompanied Him to His tomb.
Anísio Franco