Handing of the Keys of Seville to Saint Ferdinand

Handing of the Keys of Seville to Saint Ferdinand

Although today located in the sacristy, this work was once part of the Chapel of Saint Bartholomew, which was owned by the Maturana-Cucho family, whose coat of arms can still be seen at the entrance and on the central keystone of the vault. The chapel was founded around 1564 by Pedro Sáez de Maturana, nephew and heir of Canon Antonio Sáez de Maturana, and his wife, Susana de Cucho .

The painting narrates the reconquest of Seville by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1248. It is thought to belong to the Sevillian school, akin to the style of Lucas Valdés (1661-1725), son of Juan Valdés Leal. The date of execution, 1676, is written on the lower section. It portrays Saint Ferdinand standing on an orb with open arms as he celebrates his triumph against the Muslims, looking upwards towards the apparition of the Virgin of the Kings, patron saint of Seville and intercessor in the battle to reconquer the city. A Saracen to his right is handing him the keys to the city on a gold tray. Seville can be seen in the background, identified by the Giraldillo, as well as the formations of Christian troops at its entrance.