The former Convent of Merced Calzada dates from the early 1600s, but since 1841 it has been open to the public as the Museo de Bellas Artes.
The fine arts museum originally preserved and showcased works from closed convents and monasteries around Seville. The collection has grown through the years and includes works by some of the most famous painters associated with the city – Murillo, Zurbaran and Leal.
“San Miguel Arcangel,” Juan Hispalense, 1480
detail of “San Miguel Arcangel,” Juan Hispalense, 1480
“San Jeronimo Penitente,” Pietro Torrigiano, 1525
detail of retablo from el Convento de San Agustin, Martin de Vos, 1570
detail of “Juico Final,” Martin de Vos, 1570
detail of “Juico Final,” Martin de Vos, 1570
“Carro del Parnaso,” Domingo Martinez, 1748
detail of retablo from el Convento de San Agustin, Martin de Vos, 1570
detail of “La Santera,” Manuel Gonzalez Santos, 1930
“Virgin con el Nino,” Francisco Niculoso el Pisano, circa 1500
Bellas Artes
“La Virgen de las Cuevas,” Francisco de Zurbaran, 1655
“San Juan Evangelista ante Portam Latinum,” Juan Martinez Montanes, 1638
“Carro de la Comun Alegria,” Domingo Martinez, 1748
detail of “La Muerte del Maestro,” Jose Villegas Cordero, 1913
detail of “Juico Final,” Martin de Vos, 1570
“La Muerte del Maestro,” Jose Villegas Cordero, 1913
detail of “Santa Ana ensenando a leer a la Virgen,” Juan de Roelas, 1615
detail of “Baile en la Taberna,” Manuel Rodriguez de Guzman, 1854
“Santas Justa y Rufina,” altar, Hernando de Valladares, circa 1620
detail of “Juico Final,” Martin de Vos, 1570
Not uncharacteristically, I often found myself distracted by the tilework and the devils in the details.
As we were headed into the season of Semana Santa processions, the paintings of enormous horse-drawn floats from 18th-century Seville proved of particular interest. Although these bacchanalian-themed floats appear to be more closely associated with rowdy pre-Lenten Carnaval celebrations.
The preliminary schedule is so packed I assembled links to resolve (or attempt to resolve) conflicting pulls among the readings in advance. Definitely check the official website for updates before heading downtown:
All Day
Book Sales
Coloring Station, Painting Bookmarks; H-E-B Children’s Area
Latino Leadership for the Library En Nuestras Palabras: My Story Van, Stories on the Porch, Create A Story, Meet the Story Tellers, Stories are Milagros for the Future; Central Library Plaza Walk
You Can’t Go Home Again: Fiction about Family Secrets with Nan Cuba and Andrew Porter; Moderator, David Martin Davies; Southwest School of Art, Ursuline Campus
The Dallas Cowboys: The Outrageous History of the Biggest, Loudest, Most Hated, Best Loved Football Team in America with Joe Nick Patoski; Moderator, Joe Holley; Southwest School of Art, Navarro Campus
A Sense of Birthplace: Investigating the Past: Beatriz de la Garza and Sarah Cortez; Moderator, Yvette Benavides; Southwest School of Art, Navarro Campus
The Children of the Revolución with Lionel Sosa, panelists Dr. Maria Ferrier, Dr. Nef Garcia and Jesus Ramirez; Moderator, Gilberto M. Hinojosa; Central Library
Diane Gonzales Bertrand (Sofía and the Purple Dress/Sofía y el vestido morado); Children’s Area, Central Library
Finding Friday; Music in Frost Garden, Southwest School of Art
2:45 p.m.
At War Over the Environment: Two Experts on the Politics of Parks and the Natural World with George Bristol and Char Miller; Moderator, Weir Labatt; Southwest School of Art, Navarro Campus
3 p.m.
Esmeralda Santiago on Conquistadora; Moderator, José Rubén De León, Central Library
For readers of Young Adult fiction: Summer of the Mariposaswith Guadalupe Garcia McCall; Moderator, Yvette Benavides; Southwest School of Art, Navarro Campus
Thinking caps and creativity crowns; H-E-B Children’s Area
3:15 p.m.
H.W. Brands on his new biography of Ulysses S. Grant; Moderator, Gregory Curtis; Central Library
Xavier Garza (Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel); Children’s Area, Central Library
The Rise of Reagan (and the Aftermath of His Administration) with Robert Flynn and Gilbert Garcia; Moderator, Rick Casey; Southwest School of Art, Navarro Campus
Storytelling with Javier Garza; H-E-B Children’s Area
An incredible agenda for a first-time event (May there be many more).
Of course you will need breaks, so there will be children’s activities and music throughout the day.
And nourishing your mind makes you hungry, so some of San Antonio’s favorite food trucks will be parked nearby for refueling.
Hmm, this is San Antonio. Wonder where the beer stand is….
Note to Austinites: Your turn to hit I-35.
Note to Self: Never get so excited about something you decide to post the whole schedule – with custom links – again.
And thanks to the Mister Barista for that caffe corretto blast.
April 12, 2013, Update:
Just received the schedule for the Latino Leadership for the Library area just outside the Central Library, and it adds another slew of author appearances.
Postcards from Barton Springs 