Surrender of Seville

The Surrender of Seville before Ferdinand III King of Castile and Leon with Saint Peter Nolasco, 1248, Francisco de Zubarán, 1634, oil on canvas, is a painting of the surrender of the Moors to the king of Castile and Leon, Ferdinand III. In the work, the Moors are pictured on the left, with one bending his knees and holding a plate in his hand in a show of formal surrender. On the right of the painting, Ferdinand III can be seen wearing military gear and is surrounded by military and religious figures. Through this disposition, the work portrays Ferdinand III in a position of military and historic power, governing over the military victory of Seville by defeating the Moors, who used to control the city.

The work portrays the functions of both projecting military power and asserting identity in one painting. From the vantage point of identity, the work displays Ferdinand III as a King who was involved in affairs of state and played an integral role in the recapture of Seville, an important moment in the history of the Reconquista. This historical moment, which occurred centuries before Spain was reunified, was important for the Spanish Royal Family to portray since it illustrated that the Royal Family was involved in the reunification of Spain and hence not only currently held power throughout the Spanish Empire, but throughout Spain for centuries. From the vantage point of military power, the painting portrays the Spanish King as the leader not just of the Spanish delegation, but also of the Spanish military that was successful in taking back Seville from the Moors. Ferdinand III is displayed in elaborate military armor and holding the baton of command , illustrating his position as the leader of the military and in charge of the battle to take back Seville. As a result, Zubarán is portraying Ferdinand III as a King who is a tremendous military leader who has the capacity to win significant battles. For the Spanish Royal Family, this example of military strength is pertinent since it portrays the Spanish Royal Family accomplishing a significant military victory, which can demonstrate to viewers during the Baroque period throughout the world that the Spanish Crown is capable to successfully fighting battles if necessary to protect the territorial sovereignty of the Spanish Empire. As a result, the work not only emphasizes the military power of the Spanish Royal Family, but also acts as a deterrent to those who may wish to rebel against the Spanish Empire.

Today, remnants of Moorish rule in Spain can still be found in Seville. After the Christians retook Seville, they adopted some of the Islamic architecture in Seville and repurposed them into churches and other buildings. Slowly, a mixed architecture style of Christian and Islamic architecture began to take form in Seville, Mudéjar, and many Mudéjar buildings can be found in Seville today, from the Patio de las Doncellas and Salón de Embajadores in the Alcázar of Seville.

Sources:

Mendoza, Ilenia Colón, and Margaret Ann Zaho. Spanish Royal Patronage 1412-1804: Portraits as Propaganda. Cambridge Scholars, 2018.

European Travel Magazine. “In the Footsteps of the Moors: Seville.” European Travel Magazine, 7 Mar. 2017, https://www.e-travelmag.com/spain/moors-seville/. 

MeisterDrucke. “Reconquista: ‘The Surrender of Seville before Ferdinand III King of Castile and Leon’ the Moors Handed over the Keys of the City to the King of Castile on 22/12/1248. Painting by Francisco De Zurbaran (1598-1664) 1634.Sun. 157.5X208.2 Cm Private Collect.” MeisterDrucke, https://www.meisterdrucke.uk/fine-art-prints/Francisco-de-Zurbaran/948289/Reconquista:-%E2%80%9CThe-surrender-of-Seville-before-Ferdinand-III-King-of-Castile-and-Leon%E2%80%9D-the-Moors-handed-over-the-keys-of-the-city-to-the-king-of-Castile-on-22-12-1248.-Painting-by-Francisco-de-Zurbaran-(1598-1664)-1634.Sun.-157.5x208.2-cm-Private-collect.html.

File:Real Alcázar, Patio De Las Doncellas.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Real_Alc%C3%A1zar,_Patio_de_las_Doncellas.jpg. 

File : Reales Alcázares De Sevilla - Salón De Embajadores.jpg. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reales_Alc%C3%A1zares_de_Sevilla_-_Sal%C3%B3n_de_Embajadores.jpg.