Religious artworks in the collections

Religious art has been a fundamental pillar in the cultural history of Spain, especially between the 15th and 18th centuries, a period during which the Catholic faith not only shaped the beliefs of society but also profoundly and durably influenced artistic production. The religious works that adorn churches, convents, and palaces are silent witnesses of an era in which spirituality intertwined with power, politics, and the cultural identity of a nation in transformation.

From the beginnings of the Reconquista to the Spanish Golden Age, religious art in Spain was marked by various currents that reflected the evolution of society. On the peninsula, the arrival of the Renaissance brought with it a renewed interest in humanism, which translated into works that sought a more naturalistic representation of biblical characters. Artists like El Greco, although originally from Crete, found his home and muse in Toledo, producing works that, while deeply religious, were also imbued with a personal and emotional vision of the world. His painting "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" is a clear example of this fusion between local history and the divine, and is considered one of the milestones of Spanish art.

Throughout the Baroque period, the production of religious art intensified. The Counter-Reformation, driven by the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation, encouraged the creation of works that not only aimed to instruct and strengthen the faith among the faithful but also sought to amaze and draw them into devotion. In this context, the work of Francisco de Zurbarán stands out particularly. His representations of monks and saints, such as in "Saint Serapion," reflect a quest for spirituality through simplicity and the powerful use of chiaroscuro. Light becomes a symbol of the divine, and his masterful technique allows viewers to contemplate the essence of spirituality.