Visita al Tesoro de la Virgen de las Angustias

Visita al Tesoro de la Virgen de las Angustias, in Granada, to see the Sacred Image of 1550: a dressable dolorosa accompanied by a crescent moon, cross and silver pedestal.

The route revolves around the Sacred Image of the Most Holy Virgin of the Angustias, a walnut carving made in Valladolid in 1550 at the commission of Juan Riquelme. Its author is anonymous and shows features of Castilian Mannerism; in the face, details recall the work of Alonso Berruguete. It arrived in Granada in 1553 and is recognised as the oldest dressable image of its type in Spain, and perhaps in the world.

Seen from the front, in the Basilica, the ensemble includes at the Virgin's feet a crescent moon, symbol of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The first, dating from 1640, was replaced by the current one, in gilded silver from 1913, and on it are placed military decorations that form a second crescent. Everything rests on a silver pedestal made by León Guzmán and Espinar. Behind, a silver cross of 1660, the work of Juan Jiménez Escobar, accompanies the standing Mary, and beside her stands the recumbent Christ, incorporated around 1862. The image presents her as offerer and co-redemptrix.

The rear repeats the symbolic message with references to chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation. The marble floor, designed by José Risueño y Arconchel, shows the sun and the moon, and two neoclassical angels hold a royal crown above the Virgin, alluding to her royal status.