November 19, 2007

Conference

On the art of silversmithing and some examples from Navarre

Mr. Jesús Rivas Carmona.
University of Murcia

The lecture dealt with the definition of the art of silversmithing in terms of materials and techniques as well as the value of the design, which has led to the importance of drawing among silversmiths with allusion to their examinations -particularly those of Pamplona- as well as their participation in architectural projects and altarpieces -the case of the Pamplona silversmith Velázquez de Medrano-, precisely because of his skill in this regard, although it was also considered the participation in the design of pieces of silverware of other artists, such as architects, sculptors or painters, among them even of the category of Alonso Cano. Great importance has also been given to the conceptual value of the silverware in relation to its function and meaning, taking advantage of the assemblies around the altar, from the frontals to the tabernacles and tabernacles, which come to highlight the sacrificial and sacramental significance of the Eucharist, as well as a whole series of Navarrese chalices, which from the Age average to the Rococo, from the chalice of Carlos III to that of Canon Jáuregui of the Cathedral of Pamplona, have served to illustrate the stylistic evolution of these pieces. But, above all, the topic that has best served to manifest this conceptual and symbolic character is the consideration of the assemblies and pieces of the great Eucharistic feasts, namely Corpus Christi and Holy Thursday. Regarding the former, the great thrones erected for the manifestation of the Sacred Form, such as the great composition of the Cathedral of Seville, have been highlighted, although the processional monstrances have been especially valued, concluding with that of the Cathedral of Pamplona, which has also been used to justify the use of these silver temples as altar tabernacles, that is, with other uses different from the processional one. Finally, attention has been paid to the Maundy Thursday Monuments and their silver arks, which in their forms and programs allude to the tomb of Christ and as such to the ark of the New Covenant. Several cathedral examples illustrated a historical journey, in which the coffers ended up resembling the tabernacles, although with their own peculiarities.