Title

Guglielmo Raimondo Moncada Count of Augusta Fetches the Queen from the Castle of Aosta and Protects Her from Alagona

Co-author

Van der Meulen, Adam Frans

Brussels, 1632 - Paris, 1690

Van Kessel, Jan

Antwerp, 1626 - Antwerp, 1679

Typology

School

Date

Century

Dimensions

Technique

Support

Inscriptions

On the upper noble shield: "GVILLIELMVS RAYMVNDVS MONCATA / HVJVS NOMINIS / III AVGVSTAE COMES"

On the lower noble shield:  "AUGVSTAE CASTRO REGINAM EXCIPIT ET ADVERSVS ALAGONIVM TVETVR"

Signature: "F. V, Meulen fecit." / "J. V. Kessel, fecit 1663."

Observations

This copper is part of a series commissioned by Luis Guillén de Moncada on the occasion of the marriage in 1664 of his son, Fernando de Aragón y Moncada, VI Prince of Paterno and VIII Duke of Montalto with María Teresa Fajardo, VII Marquise de los Vélez, VI Marquise de Ribera, Molina and Martorell. Luis Guillén de Moncada commissioned a set of 12 coppers. Shortly after, 8 more coppers were made to complete the series.  The project to transfer the models of these 20 coppers to tapestry was never completed; only 6 panels were made.  

This work is part of the first phase of the cycle that narrates the exploits of Guglielmo Raimondo de Moncada, count of Aosta (1384). The central scene, made by Adam Frans Van der Meulen, shows Guglielmo Moncada Count of Augusta fetchesing the Queen from the Castle of Aosta and Protects Her from Alagona. The border that frames the scene, the work of Jan van Kessel the Elder, is richly decorated with different objects and two noble shields with inscriptions alluding to the event represented.

Related links

Bibliography

• M. Díaz Padrón, J. Sanzsalazar, A. Diéguez et al. (2003): El Triunfo del mar. Las riquezas marinas en la pintura europea del siglo XVII, MInisterio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación FROM, Madrid, p. 234.
• J. Sanzsalazar (2001): "Un dibujo de Willem van Herp de la serie de los Moncada, en la Galería Nacional de Edimburgo", Boletín del Seminario de Estudios de Arte y Arqueología: BSAA, nº 67, p. 285.
• M. Díaz Padrón (1978): "Obras de Guillaume van Herp en España. II", Archivo español de arte, vol. 51, nº 201, p. 20.
• M. Haro y MM. Dhios et George (1870): Catalogue des Tableaux Anciens, Porcelaines de Sevres, de Saxe et de Chine Bonheur du Jour Taisseries Peovenant de Feu M. Le Marquis de Villafranca Duc de Ferandina de Montalto..., Hôtel Drouot, Paris, pp. 13, n.º 11.

Locations

• 1664: Collection Vélez, Madrid (Spain)
• 1683 - 1870: Collection Villafranca, Madrid (Spain) (Inventory number: 11)
• Private Collection, Madrid (Spain)