Study of a finding of 16th century azulejo panels at the Cathedral of Setúbal in Portugal

Abstract

A series of disperse renaissance azulejos with designs outlined in blue and black against a yellow background, secluded by the basal wall of the altar of the Igreja de Santa Maria da Graça, Cathedral of Setúbal, near Lisbon, were recently unveiled. The azulejos were probably once part of a chapel lining that was removed, and some were re-applied here at an unknown date. They were spread without any concern whatsoever about continuity because they were not intended for visibility. In this paper, we attempt a partial digital reconstruction of the painting, showing that it includes the representation of two feminine winged figures, together with flowers and fruits. One of the figures is a young lady with butterfly wings, and the other an elderly woman with bird wings. Both have crowns, although of different sorts. We also report the results of a first analytical study of the azulejos and discuss their technological and chronological placement in relation to other 16th century panels from the workshops of Lisbon.