COLLECTION OF NINE PICTURES, INSPIRED BY RUBENS CARDS, WITH THE THEME OF THE APOTHEOSIS OF THE EUCHARIST

Inside this chapel there is a Collection of nine paintings, inspired by cartoons by Rubens, with the theme of the Apotheosis of the Eucharist.

One of the most significant cases of the painter Pedro Pablo Rubens was his production of twenty cartoons that with the theme of the Apotheosis of the Eucharist he made around 1622-1625 at the request of the Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia, daughter of Felipe II and governor of the Netherlands, to be transferred to monumental tapestries for the monastery of the Royal Barefoot in Madrid, occupied by Poor Clare nuns since it was founded in 1559 by Juana de Austria, daughter of Carlos V and sister of Felipe II, by which the Infanta he had a special predilection.

Its purpose was to decorate and enhance the convent on great solemnities, such as the celebration of Corpus Christi.

In this case, the tapestries were made in Brussels in the prestigious workshop of Jan II Raes, between 1627 and 1632, and later sent to the Spanish Court, the series still being preserved in said Madrid convent.

 

The nine tables are as follows:

 

THE CHARIOT OF FAITH

 

This painting is entitled "The Triumph of the Catholic Faith over science, philosophy, nature and poetry", arranged on a triumphal chariot, pushed by Angels, he carries in his left hand the chalice with the Sacred Form symbolizing the Eucharist ; and at his feet a globe alluding to the universality of the Faith.

In the air they carry the emblems of the Passion. Behind the car, captives of Faith: Science, carrying an astrolabe; Philosophy, with the features of Socrates; Nature, with numerous breasts, and Poetry, crowned with laurel.

  

DAVID'S BREADS

 

The priest Ahimelech gives the bread and the sword to David (1 Samuel, 21)

   

MYSTICAL CLUSTER CHRIST

 

Christ is presented to us, kneeling his left knee on the basin to keep his balance, while his shrunken body is being crushed by the cross, like a press beam, at the ends of which two workers actuate the screws to produce pressure, causing the blood spurted out profusely through the wounds on his hands and feet.

Two angels collect the redeeming blood in a chalice; another gives it to drink from his back, perhaps to the Virgin, next to whom a young woman kneels ruefully, who may represent Mary Magdalene.

Above God the Father, with his right hand open, watches the scene and the dove of the Spirit hovering over the head of the Son.

 

 

THE TRIUMPH OF THE CHURCH

 

 

It is a composition that shows a chariot drawn by white horses, which advances carrying an angel with the keys of Saint Peter. Next to him a woman, portrait of the painter's wife (Rubens) carries the Eucharist in a monstrance.

 

 

SAINT THOMAS AQUINO BEFORE THE POPE

 

Seated, the Pope appears in the foreground surrounded by a series of characters, kneeling and with outstretched arms Saint Thomas. In the background on rocks the Custody.

 

 

SANTA CLARA AMONG THE DOCTORS

The defenders of the Eucharist and the 4 evangelists.

 

THE LAST SUPPER

 

On a neutral background the apostles appear seated around the Table and in the central part Jesus Christ, in front of the table a dog and a vase.

 

JOSHUA BEFORE JERICÓ

 

Against a background of rocky landscape appears the Ark of the Covenant and Josué on horseback with a whole series of characters who look at him and surround him. Behind the High Priests.

 

 

TRIUMPH OF THE EUCHARIST OVER IDOLATRY

 

An angel carrying a lamp appears on an architectural background, the rest of the characters in the composition are in different positions.