PhD Program in Historical studies
Juan de Roelas’s “Alegoría de la Virgen Inmaculada”
María Bolaños Atienza, Director of the National Sculpture Museum of Valladolid, shows us one of the most important works preserved in the permanent exhibition at the Museum.
In the period following the conclusion of the Council of Trent, the theological debate intensfied about the figure of the Virgin Mary, and in particular about her Immaculate Conception, that is, at its birth without original sin. The debate was strongly felt in Spain and had social and political repercussions. The Alegoría de la Virgen Inmaculada by Juan de RoelasJuan de Roelas (1570-1625) was a painter of Flemish origin. He was active in Spain in Valladolid , Seville and Madrid. His art shows a clear influence of the Venetian school and Mannerism. He died in Olivares., painted in the style and model of Venetian art, depicts a large gathering that was held in Seville in 1615 in homage to the Immaculate Conception. The painter depicts the common people and the nobility, in the lower part of the painting itself, which all flocked to the event. At the center is the figure of the Madonna surrounded by saints, patriarchs and church fathers, while from on high divine light illuminates the entire scene.