22 March 2010
Global Seminars & Invited Speaker Series
HOLY WEEK CYCLE
The processional step in Hispanic Holy Week
D. Enrique Valdivieso. University of Seville
Professor Valdivieso's lecturedealt with the Easter processions in Spain in comparison, defining affinities and divergences between the processions held in Castilian and Andalusian lands, and especially between the cities of Valladolid and Seville.
He began dissertationwith the definition of "paso" as "effigy or sculptural grouprepresenting one of the successive episodes of the Passion of Christ", followed by an introduction that traced the beginnings of the cult in Christian Europe of the events of the Passion from its beginnings in the 4th century to the appearance of confraternities of penitence and flagellants from the 14th century onwards.
He then mentioned the characteristics of the processions and pasos throughout the Spanish kingdom, pointing out the different episodes that inspired the configuration of the pasos and then their typology and structural characteristics, especially in Valladolid and Seville. He pointed out their affinities and differences, and above all their identical aim of moving the spectators and making them participants in the Church's claims, especially in the 17th century, to encourage repentance for sins, prayer and penance.
He also pointed out the theatrical Structuresof the steps with the clear differentiation in them of the characters representing the good and the protagonists of the spirit of evil that engendered opposing characterisations between the serenity and beauty of the former and the ugliness and cruel perversion of the latter.
An important part of the exhibitionwas devoted to the commentary and analysis of the best steps by important image makers such as Juan de Juni, Gregorio Fernández, Francisco Rincón and Pedro de Ávila in Valladolid, and Martínez Montañés, Juan de Mesa, Pedro Roldán and Ruiz Gijón in Seville.
The lecturer paid special attention to the prominence of the figure of Christ and his treatment by the sculptors in episodes such as The Scourging, Ecce Homo, The Way to Calvary, The Crucifixion and The Descent from the Cross, in which the sculptors captured the highest level of drama and spiritual transcendence.
Professor Enrique Valdivieso's lecture, organised by Pamplona City Council and the Chairde Patrimonio y Arte Navarro, was held at the Palacio del Condestable in Pamplona.