Art in the Palace of the Borjas
Valencia's Parliament building houses numerous works of art by prestigious painters and sculptors such as Ignacio Pinazo, Carmen Calvo, and Manuel Boix.
By Corts Valencianes
Corts Valencianes
Art that explains history
The entrance hall to the Palace of the Borja houses the main works of art that reveal the history of the building and the Valencian people.
Francesc de Vinatea by Ignacio Pinazo Martínez (1883-1970)Corts Valencianes
Francesc de Vinatea
In the entrance hall to the palace is a reproduction of this sculpture by Ignacio Pinazo Martínez, commemorating the historical figure who defied King Alfonso IV of Aragon in defense of the "Fueros" or laws of the Kingdom of Valencia.
The battle of Almansa (1709) by Philippus Palotta/Bonaventura de LiliisCorts Valencianes
The Battle of Almansa
This painting depicts the most decisive moment in the War of the Spanish Succession.
The battle took place around the Castle of Almansa, where the border between the kingdoms of Valencia and Castile had been established.
The painting is a meticulous representation of the landscape and the battle in which, on April 25, 1707, the troops of Philip of Bourbon (also known as Philip V of Spain) came face to face with those of the Archduke Charles of Austria for the Spanish Crown.
The Bourbon troops carried out a successful flanking maneuver that defeated Archduke Charles' troops.
The battle was so bloody that the following popular saying still exists across the region of Valencia: "quan el mal ve d'Almansa a tots alcança" (Evil tidings spare no one when they come from Almansa).
The defeat of the archduke's army meant the Kingdom of Valencia lost its autonomous laws, known as "Fueros," and in June 1707 Philip V enacted the Nueva Planta Decree.
The Borjas: Universal Valencians
Manuel Boix (1942) made this group of 5 plaster sculptures representing the most important members of the Borja family. The 5 pieces were used as molds for the bronze statues, which can be found in Gandia.
Tap to explore
The figures are, from left to right, Cesare Borja, St. Francis Borja, Pope Alexander VI, Pope Calixtus III, and Lucrezia Borja.
Caesar Borgia (1995-1998) by Manuel Boix (1942)Corts Valencianes
Cesare Borja (1475–1507)
Son of Alexander VI, he was made Bishop of Pamplona, Archbishop of Valencia, Cardinal, and Captain General of the Vatican's army. He was the main inspiration for Machiavelli's "The Prince."
Francisco de Borgia (1995-1998) by Manuel Boix (1942)Corts Valencianes
St. Francis of Borja and Aragon (1510–72)
Great-grandson of Alexander VI, 4th Duke of Gandia, 1st Marquis of Llombai, Grandee of Spain, Viceroy of Catalonia, and the 3rd Superior General of the Society of Jesus. He was beatified by Pope Urban VIII in 1624 and canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671.
Rodrigo de Borgia (1995-1998) by Manuel Boix (1942)Corts Valencianes
Rodrigo Borja (1431–1503)
The nephew of Calixtus III, Rodrigo was elected pope in 1492, taking the name Alexander VI. During his time as pope, he increased the papacy's power over the Italian peninsula, set the dividing lines between the areas belonging to Castile and Portugal in the lands acquired in the New World, and supported literature and the arts.
Alfonso de Borgia (1995-1998) by Manuel Boix (1942)Corts Valencianes
Alfonso Borja (1378–1458)
Alfonso was elected pope in 1455 with the name Callixtus III. During his brief papacy he organized a crusade to reconquer Constantinople, attempted to consolidate the authority of the pope in the Papal States, and canonized St. Vincent Ferrer.
Lucrezia Borgia (1995-1998) by Manuel Boix (1942)Corts Valencianes
Lucrezia Borja (1480–1519)
Daughter of Alexander VI, she was married 3 times as a result of her father's pursuit of political alliances. Her husbands were Giovanni Sforza (Lord of Pesaro), Alfonso of Aragon (Prince of Salerno), and Alfonso d'Este (Duke of Ferrara).
Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench
The Marquis of Benicarlo commissioned Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench to paint the 3 paintings that adorn the ceiling of his private dining room. This room is now used by the Board of Spokespersons.
Amorcillo woking up (1900) by Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench (1849-1916)Corts Valencianes
Cupid's Awakening
Left-hand ceiling panel in the room belonging to the Board of Spokespersons. In this painting dominated by blue tones, Cupid is beginning to awaken, unaware of the events that are about to unfold.
Allegory of love (1900) by Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench (1849-1916)Corts Valencianes
Allegory of Love
Female nude representing Persephone, goddess of spring, wrapped in tulle, chiffon, and garlands of flowers, being wooed by Aeolus, god of the wind. They are accompanied by a demigoddess who is making the garlands.
Cupid (1900) by Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench (1849-1916)Corts Valencianes
Cupid
Right-hand ceiling panel in the room belonging to the Board of Spokespersons. In this painting dominated by pink tones, Cupid watches the effect of his arrows with a mischievous look. Pinazo often used his children as models, especially Ignacio when he was a small boy.
Tap to explore
The room with the Pinazo paintings leads into the Fireplace Room, which is one of the main rooms of the palace.
Arrangement of Shapes
Carmen Calvo (1950) created the ceramic and gold leaf ceiling, installed in 1993 above the staircase leading to the Chamber of the Valencian Parliament.
Sorting shapes by Carmen Calvo (1950)Corts Valencianes
The central feature of the work is the gold leaf and navy blue glazed ceramic cylinders of different sizes, designed by Carmen Calvo as a tribute to the Borja family.
The source of dreams (2003) by Manuel Torres (1938)Corts Valencianes
The Source of Dreams
Next to Carmen Calvo's work and in the hallway between the Chamber and the main floor is this sculpture by Manuel Torres, which was a gift from the Senate for "25 years of democratic coexistence (1978–2003)."
Corts Valencianes
Texts: Corts Valencianes
Photographies: Inmaculada Caballer
Corts Valencianes
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