FAMOUS ANCIENT VALENCIANOS - Peter Paschal

Painting by Valencian Master * Jerónimo Jacinto de Espinosa 

Peter Paschal was born in Valencia on the east coast of Spain in 1227. Peter's parents were devout Mozarabites (Iberian Christians) who lived under Muslim rule and paid an annual tax called the jizyah. The Mozarabites and the Muslim Arabs lived side by side and even spoke a similar language, Mozarabic. Let us learn more about this interesting historical era. 

Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas (KarlaDarocas.com) (c) SpainLifestyle.com

A GENUINE MIRACLE OF NATURE * La Mujer Barbuda by Jusepe de Ribera

Since returning from our fabulous four-day SpainLifestyle Baroque & Renaissance Road Trip, many of my friends and colleagues have asked me what the highlight of the trip was?

While there were many personal highlights, from an artistic and academic perspective, I think it was the painting La Mujer Barbuda by Jusepe de Ribera at the Prado Museum in Madrid, which I finally got to see up close. It had recently been transferred to the Prado from the Museo Fundación Lerma in the Hospital de Tavera in Toledo.

Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas, Hons.B.A. for SpainLifestyle.com 

THE ORIGIN OF COCA-COLA IS SPANISH?

A small Valencian family distillery in the old stables of the Palau del Marquès de Malferit, could be the origin of one of the emblems of capitalism: Coca-Cola. At least that's what every visitor who drives through Aielo de Malferit, a municipality of almost 5,000 inhabitants in the Vall d'Albaida, believes. There, it is claimed that an ancient drink still marketed in the region, Nuez de Kola-Coca, inspired pharmacist John Pemberton to invent the famous American soft drink in 1886. Let's find our more...

Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas (KarlaDarocas.com) (c) SpainLifestyle.com 

MARVEL IN THE MYSTERY AND FACE THE FAMOUS RELIC OF ALICANTE

Spain is indeed a wonderful place to explore religious relics. An adventurous traveller does not necessarily have to be dedicated to a relic to discover its resting place, but on your journey you can be enlightened by the wonderful art and architecture that surrounds it.

One such great example is the Catholic relic of Santa Faz (Holy Face), protected and venerated in the monastery of Santa Faz in the municipality of Santa Faz in Alicante. This relic is the destination of an annual pilgrimage attended by more than 260,000 relic lovers.

Since visiting monasteries and searching for relics are both great ways to spend a Sunday morning, I set out to witness the historical past and admire a few mysteries myself.

* Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas, Hons. B.A. (c) no part of this text or photos may be replicated

DECORATIVE AND DISTINCTLY HISPANIC IN SUECA

One of the most original, eclectic and stylish architectural genres of late 19th century Spanish Modernism is the decorative and distinctively Spanish "Neomudéjar" style. The use of bricks as the main constructive element gives this architectural method its versatility and the power to be beautiful. Let us take a look...

Article by Karla Ingleton Darocas, (KarlaDarocas.com) (c) SpainLifestyle.com

SOROLLA'S GREATEST CHALLENGE WAS FACING THE LIGHT OF NATURE

ALTHOUGH OUTDOOR PAINTING was already fashionable in Sorolla’s time, it was only after the turn of the century that he fully embraced it. For Sorolla, painting outdoors was both exhilarating and challenging. It demanded working quickly, often in unpredictable weather, while capturing fleeting effects of light before they disappeared. Yet it was precisely this light that became central to his art. More than just illumination, light shaped colour, atmosphere, and emotion in his paintings, making it the driving force of his artistic vision.

IMPRESSIVE SAN MIGUEL STANDS PROUD AT FINE ARTS MUSEUM OF VALENCIA

The Valencia Fine Arts Museum houses some of the most important paintings in Spanish history. As soon as you enter the main gallery, a monumental painting by San Miguel Arcángel takes your breath away.

This work of art has been in the museum's collections for a long time and has been seen by many generations of Valencians and foreigners. Because of its size, it is very captivating and immediately grabs your attention. Let us take a closer look...

Article by Karla Darocas, Hons. B. A. Fine Arts (KarlaDarocas.com)

Saint Lucia: Early Christian Martyr or Valencian Fashion Model?

In the Fine Arts Museum of Valencia you will find this magnificent representation of one of the most interesting virgin saints of the biblical world.

This Lucía de Siracusa, however, is a jewel of the Valencian Renaissance and shows all her devotion in a wonderfully embroidered silk mantle.

Article by Karla Ingleton Darocas (KarlaDarocas.com)

JUAN DE RIBERA * ARCHITECT OF EVICTION

Juan de Ribera (b1532-d1611) was the Archbishop and Viceroy of Valencia.

He used all his civil and religious power to pressure Philip III to expel the Moors, which was accomplished in 1609.

Ribera despised the Moriscos as heretics and traitors, a dislike he shared with much of the Christian population of Valencia. Let's take a Look... 

* Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas, Hons. B.A. (KarlaDarocas.com)

PONDER PROVINCIAL PRIDE FROM MEDIEVAL TO MODERN IN MURLA

Lovers of fortresses and architecture will enjoy a trip to the mountains of Marina Alta for a close-up look at a proudly preserved parish church that bears witness to a precarious mediaeval past. Documents show that this castle/fortress became a Christian parish church in 1317.

The architectural structures of Murla range from mediaeval to modern and the historical past of the place is marked by cultural and structural grievances. All this makes Murla a very interesting place to visit. Let us take a look...

* Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas, Hons. B.A. (KarlaDarocas.com) (C) no part of this text or photos may be replicated)

SOROLLA FANS * A SPECIAL CENTENARY CELEBRATION

Fifty extraordinary original works by Sorolla, many of them masterpieces, from one of Spain's most important private collections, the María Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation, descendants of a powerful industrial family, will be exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia from 29 June to 1 October 2023 to celebrate the centenary of his death.

* Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas, Hons. B.A. (KarlaDarocas.com)

BEAUTIFUL BAROQUE MASTERPIECE SHOWS OFF ITS ARTISTIC PECULIARITY IN PEDREGUER

In Pedreguer is the parish church of the Holy Cross (Iglesia de la Santa Cruz). It took me several months to get into this church, as I always went in at the wrong times. It is a popular church and not a tourist attraction, so you have to go when it is open for the congregation to enjoy their midday mass. I have found that Sunday at 11:30 am is the best time to get into this historic work of artistic architectural brilliance.

When I arrived, a well-dressed elderly lady took me by the hand and asked me about my interest in "her" church. I explained that I was an art historian and a teacher, whereupon she welcomed me and explained that "her" church was "very important".

I agreed and began my search for the artistic secret that makes this church so famous! 

Let's take a look...

* Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas, Hons. B.A. (KarlaDarocas.com) (C) no part of this text or photos may be replicated)