In the Convent of La Merced, Juan de Oviedo's masterwork, traditional medieval Mudejar forms were replaced by features with mannerist influences.
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After the requisition of the Church's assets carried out by Mendizábal in1835 the Convent of La Merced was converted into a museum in 1841. Its main collection consisted of works from the convents and monasteries which had been expropriated. Isabel II's visit to the city in 1862 led to the inauguration of La Plaza del Museo, the square outside the museum which was completed by Juan Talavera in 1921. In the Convent of La Merced, Juan de Oviedo's masterwork, traditional medieval Mudejar forms were replaced by features with mannerist influences. |
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The great doorway, dated 1729, has two sections, the upper with a large niche housing the figures of the Virgin of La Merced, San Pedro Nolasco and Jaime I. The building is arranged around three courtyards. The central one has an Arabic water cistern and is used as the entrance to the museum. El Patio de los Bojes retains the best examples of de Oviedo's design. The magnificent large cloister was reformed by Figueroa in 1724. In the intersection of the three courtyards is a staircase which is one of the finest baroque examples. It is decorated with plasterwork. Juan de Oviedo's design for the chapel was inspired by the Casa Profesa de la Compañía de Jesús by Hernán Ruiz II. |
The Museum of Fine Arts, the second most important gallery in Spain (after El Prado in Madrid) is essential for studying the 17th century Sevillian School.
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The Museum, the second most important gallery in Spain after the Prado, is essential for studying the 17th century Sevillian School. It houses paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the first half of the 20th century: Pedro Millán, Lorenzo Mercadante, Alejo Fernández, Cristóbal de Morales, Lucas Cranach, Pietro Torrigiano, Pacheco, El Greco, Alonso Vázquez, Juan de Roelas, Herrera el Viejo, Alonso Cano, Martínez Montañés, Juan de Mesa, Pedro de Mena, Velázquez, Zurbarán, Murillo, Valdés Leal, Lucas Valdés, Domingo Martínez, Juan de Espinal, Goya, Esquivel, Valeriano Bécquer, Madrazo, García Ramos, Jiménez Aranda, Gonzalo Bilbao, Bacarisas, etc. |