The best for the King of Portugal

Italian statuary for the Royal Basilica of Mafra

Basilica of Our Lady and St. Anthony (1717/1733) by João Frederico Ludovice ou Johan Fredrich Ludwig (1673- 1752)Mafra National Palace

Basilica of Mafra

For the magnificence of the Basilica of Mafra, King João V ordered the most significant collection of Baroque Italian sculptures outside Italy. 58 statues for the interior, medallions for the facade, the narthex and the entrance of the Convent, and a group with Christ and Angels for the main chapel, all in Carrara marble. That huge order was placed just a year before the consecration (22 October 1730), but the first statues arrived only in 1731 and the project was just complete in 1733. The most prominent Roman artists were contacted to work for the King of Portugal. Yet, the scale of the order led to the hiring of artists outside Rome, as in Florence, Genoa or Carrara, reaching 26 sculptors.

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Many of the sculptors working to Mafra also worked in important Italian monuments as the Fontana di Trevi.
The Fountain of Trevi (1732-1762), situated in a junction of three roads (tre vie), is the terminal point of one of Rome’s main aqueducts. The work was commissioned to the architect Nicola Salvi (1697 – 1751), who died with his work half finished. Also Giovanni Battista Maini was involved in the design work of Fontana di Trevi.

Some of those sculptors are Pietro Bracci, the author of the main scene representing the Ocean carried by a triumphal chariot, Filippo della Valle who carved the statues of the Abundance, on the left side, and Health, on the right side, and the sculptors of three smaller statues located in the attic representing "The abundance of fruits" – Agostino Corsini – "The fertility of the fields" – Bernardino Ludovisi – and "The amenity of the fields" and "Gardens" – or Bartolomeo Pincellotti.
All these artists worked for King João V and the Basilica of Mafra.

Model and statue of St. Anne (1730/1733) by Unknown authorMafra National Palace

Saint Anne
Unknown author, c. 1732
Terracotta model, c. 1729

This royal command followed several steps. First, drawings were sent from Italy to be appreciated and evaluated by the King, followed by correspondence specifying João V’s comments. Later, came terracotta models of about 66 cm high, 3D models and, again, letters of recommendations and finally the approval.

Basilica of Mafra façade (1760/1770) by Joaquim Machado de Castro (1731-1822)Mafra National Palace

In this pen drawing of the Royal Basilica of Mafra by Joaquim Machado de Castro, we can see four Italian statues: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Saint Clara and the pediment medallion. Let's take a closer look at the sculptures!

Medallion representing the Virgin, St. Anthony and the Child (1730) by José de Almeida (c. 1708-1770)Mafra National Palace

The Virgin, the Holy Child and Saint Anthony
José de Almeida, 1730

This wooden medallion represents the patrons of the Basilica of Mafra. The medallion was placed in the pediment of the church until the arrival of a similar one, in jasper, commissioned in Italy to the artist Giuseppe Lironi (1731).

St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1731) by Carlo MonaldiMafra National Palace

Saint Francis of Assisi
Carlo Monaldi, c. 1731

Located on the south side of the second level of the facade, the statue represents Saint Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order, a preaching and mendicant order, for which the Convent of Mafra was intended. Represented in his middle age, the Saint is wearing the habit with the hood, the rope with the three knots and barefoot, signs of poverty.

St. Dominic (c.1731) by Carlo MonaldiMafra National Palace

Saint Dominic
Carlo Monaldi, c.1731

This sculpture is located in the north side of the first level of the Basilica's facade, in opposite to Saint Francis's sculpture. The statue represents Saint Dominic who was the founder of the Dominican Order, known as a preaching and mendicant order.

Statue of St. Elizabeth Queen of Hungary (1731/1732) by Giovanni Battista MainiMafra National Palace

Saint Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary
Giovanni Battista Maini, c. 1732

Located on the south side of the facade, the statue represents Saint Elizabeth of Hungary or Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia, a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary, Landgravine of Thuringia, Germany, and a greatly venerated Catholic saint. She was an early member of the Third Order of St. Francis, by which she is honored as its patroness.

Copper coin, Casa da Moeda, Lisboa, 1732, From the collection of: Mafra National Palace
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This copper coin minted in 1732, during the reign of King D. João V, was found under the statue of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.

St. Clare of Assisi (c. 1731) by Giovanni Battista MainiMafra National Palace

Saint Clare of Assisi
Giovanni Battista Maini, c. 1731

Saint Clare of Assisi was the founder of the monastic religious order called the Poor Ladies, follower of the Franciscan tradition. Its Rule of Life was the first guideline for monastic life written by a woman. After her death, Pope Urban IV officially changed the name of the Order of Poor Ladies to the Order of Saint Clare, in 1263. The statue is located on the south side of the facade, opposite to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.

Saint Clare of Assisi, (detail) (1731) by Giovanni Battista MainiMafra National Palace

Saint Clare dressed in the Franciscan habit, with a serene face, sign of peace, contemplation and prayer.

For the Basilica of Mafra, the sculptor Giovanni Battista Maini carved statues of St. Michael and St. Gabriel; St. Claire and St. Elisabeth of Hungary were also attributed to him. Many works were commissioned by the Portuguese court, which are lost nowadays. His major works are the monument to Innocenzo X, at Sant'Agnese in Agone Church, in Piazza Navona and the Neri Corsini funerary monument, in S. Giovanni in Laterano. As a curiosity, Maini, as his Master Rusconi, always molded his designs in plaster before passing them to marble.

Model for the statue of St. Claire (1730) by Giovanni Battista Maini (1690-1752)Mafra National Palace

Terracotta model for the statue of Saint Clare, sent from Rome for the King's approval (c. 1730 ).

Narthex of the Royal Basilica of Mafra (1730) by João Frederico LudoviceMafra National Palace

Narthex of the Basilica

The choice of the sculptors working for Mafra was judicious, the best artists for the most important statues, placed in the most visible and representative places as the facade, the narthex and the main-altar. Several of these sculptors worked in other important monuments in Italy, as the Fontana di Trevi.

Statue of St. Vincent (1731) by Carlo Monaldi (1691-1760)Mafra National Palace

Saint Vincent
Carlo Monaldi, 1731

The martyr Saint Vincent is located in the north side of the main door of the Basilica, opposite to Saint Sebastian. He is represented wearing a rich embroidered dalmatic and a stole over an alb with lace. In his left hand, he holds the palm of martyrdom and, in the right hand, the book of the Gospel. At his feet, one of the ravens that accompanied the boat transporting his body until Lisbon. The patron of this city, Saint Vincent was a saint of special devotion of the Portuguese Royal Family.

St. Vincent (detail) by Carlo Monaldi (1691-1760) and 1731Mafra National Palace

Saint Vincent - detail.

Signature of Carlo Monaldi in St. Vincent statue (1731) by Carlo MonaldiMafra National Palace

Carlo Monaldi was the author of the well known Saint Francis of Assisi and other statues for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He was also very active for Portuguese patrons. After finishing is work in the Vatican in 1730, he starts working for Mafra: the medallions over the Narthex and the Convent doors, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Dominic, Saint Clare, Saint Sebastian, Saint Vincent, Saint Theresa, Saint Elijah and Saint Philip Neri, most of them with the artist’s signature like here, in the statue of St. Vincent.

Statue of St. Sebastian (1731) by Carlo Monaldi (1691-1760) and Carlo MonaldiMafra National Palace

Saint Sebastian
Carlo Monaldi, 1731

Statue of Saint Sebastian, a Roman soldier converted to Christianity and martyred by Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century. Protector of the plague, war and famine. Located on the left side of the main door of the church. This statue, along with the representation of Saint Vincent, are the largest in this collection (3,58 m).

Signature of Carlo Monaldi in St. Sebastian's helmet, Carlo Monaldi (1691-1760), 1731, From the collection of: Mafra National Palace
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Signature of Carlo Monaldi on Saint Sebastian's helmet.

St. Benedict (c. 1731) by Giuseppe RusconiMafra National Palace

Saint Benedict
Giuseppe Rusconi, c. 1731

Saint Benedict, placed in the north side of the narthex, is another founder of a religious order, in this case the Benedictines. He is represented with the Book of the Rule and wearing the habit. Saint Benedict was the founder of the western monastic movement and is the patron of Europe.

St. Bernard de Clairvaux (detail) (c. 1731) by Giuseppe RusconiMafra National Palace

Saint Bernard de Clairvaux
Giuseppe Rusconi, c. 1731

Member of the Cistercian Order, Saint Bernard was an important reformer of the Catholic Church. The Book of the Rules he holds in his hand refers the reform task he devoted most of his life. At his feet, the devil (serpent) wrapped in heretical books. The statue is placed in the north side of the narthex, in front of Saint Benedict.

Statue of St. Bruno of Cologne (1732) by Giuseppe Lironi (atrib)Mafra National Palace

Saint Bruno of Cologne
Giuseppe Lironi, c. 1732

Founder of Carthusian Order in 1084. Represented with a shaved head, beardless and wearing the habit of the Order. The crucifix in his hand has the symbolic means "the Cross is steady while the world is turning", motto of the Order. At his feet, a skull sign of mystical devotion. The statue is located in the south side of narthex.

St. John of Matha (1731/1731) by Pietro BracciMafra National Palace

Saint John of Matha
Pietro Bracci, c. 1731/32

Saint John of Matha is the co-founder of the Trinitarium Order, with Saint Felix of Valois. The Order was founded in Rome to ransome the Christian captives. He is represented with the broken chains of the captives and a cross on the chest, his usual attributes. This statue is placed in the south side of the narthex.

Medallion representing the Virgin, Jesus and St. Anthony (1732) by Carlo MonaldiMafra National Palace

Virgin, Jesus and Saint Anthony
Carlo Monaldi, c. 1732

Carrara marble medallion, placed over the main door of the Basilica, representing the Virgin, the Holy Child and Saint Anthony, patrons of the church. The Virgin holds Child Jesus and rests her left hand on Saint Anthony's shoulder in a gesture of protection.

Statue of St. Teresa of Ávila (1731) by Carlo Monaldi (1691-1760)Mafra National Palace

Saint Teresa of Avila
Carlo Monaldi, c. 1731

Statue of Saint Teresa holding the book of the Carmelite Order, which she reformed. The sculpture is located in the narthex of the Basilica, among the founders and the reformers of the main religious orders.

Model for the statue of St. Teresa of Ávila (1730) by Carlo Monaldi (1691-1760)Mafra National Palace

Terracota model for the statue of Saint Teresa of Avila or Teresa of Jesus, send from Rome for the King's approval.

Credits: Story

Credits
General Coordination: Mário Pereira

Exhibition Curators: M.ª Gabriela Cordeiro; Isabel Yglesias de Oliveira;

Photo Credits: DGPC/ADF/José Paulo Ruas/Luís Pavão/Manuel Silveira Ramos;DGPC/PNM; Sérgio de Medeiros

Special Tribute: Armindo Ayres de Carvalho (1911-1977); José Fernandes Pereira (1953-2012)

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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