Date: (interior)

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1 Name of Monument: Church and Hospital of Misericórdia of Viana do Castelo Location: Praça da República Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Portugal Date: (interior) Photograph: João Paulo Artists: Master builder: Manuel Pinto de Vila Lobos (d.1734); woodcarver: Ambrósio Coelho; tile painters: António de Oliveira Bernardes, Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes; Grotesco ceiling paintings: Manuel Gomes de Andrade; organ maker: Frei Manuel Lourenço da Conceição; organ cases: Manuel Pinto de Vila Lobos [dates unknown] Denomination / Type of monument: Religious, church, hospital and administrative buildings Patron(s): Brotherhood of Misericórdia de Viana do Castelo History: The Confraria da Misericórdia of Viana do Castelo was established in 1523 by formal request of its Council and deferred by the King. Its headquarters and chapel were built in the square close to the town walls, nowadays called Praça da República. Almost in ruins in 1557, the building was rebuilt according to the drawings of João Jácome Luna and clearly inspired by Italian loggias. In 1714, the chapel being once more in a poor condition, a new renovation plan of the interior was commissioned by the Brotherhood to Manuel Pinto de Vila Lobos, a military engineer. Starting in 1716, reconstruction work finished eight years later. By a decree, dated 16 June 1910, the Church together with the hospital, were classified National Monuments. Description: The Misericórdia of Viana do Castelo, hospital and church, is unique and unparalleled in Portugal. The main building served both as an administrative headquarters and a hospital, with the attached Church managed autonomously. A sober façade contrasting with an embellished interior equals a fine example of the notion of the Baroque Gesamtkunstwerk, total work of art in spite of its precise floor plan and single nave. Azulejos cover the nave walls, depicting biblical scenes representing the 14 Acts of Mercy. In the central arch, a large panel depicts Our Lady of Mercy. The chancel is also ornamented with azulejos representing scenes from the Life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. The Grotesco paintings on the ceiling by Manuel Gomes depict the Holy Trinity, Assumption of Our Lady and Escape into Egypt. Ambrósio Coelho carved the gilded wooden retable and the side altars, which are crowned by a gilded pelmet. An Iberian organ is placed in the High Choir. View Short Description The Church of the Misericórdia of Viana do Castelo has a sober façade that contrasts with its embellished interior. It is a fine example of the Baroque Gesamtkunstwerk, total work of

2 art : the chancel and the nave walls are covered with azulejos (painted tile panels) signed by Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes, creating a masterly mix with the Grotesco paintings of the ceiling and the gilded wooden altarpieces. How Monument was dated: Historical documents from the District Archive of Misericódia of Viana do Castelo Selected bibliography: Azevedo, C. de, Baroque Organ Cases of Portugal, Amsterdam, Araújo, J. R. de, A Igreja da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Viana do Castelo, 2nd edition, Viana, Ferreira-Alves, N. M., A escola de talha portuense e a sua influência no Norte de Portugal Artistas e clientela, materiais e técnicas, Lisbon, Meco, J., O Azulejo em Portugal, Lisbon, Botelho, J. A., "A representação das Obras da Misericórdia nos Azulejos da Igreja da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Viana do Castelo" in Pereira, M.O.A., et al. (coord.), 1st Encontro das Misericórdias do Alto Minho, Viana do Castelo, Serrão, V., O Barroco, Lisbon, Additional Copyright Information: Copyright images "Casa da Misericordia Viana do Castelo": Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Viana do Castelo. Citation of this web page: João Alpuim BotelhoChurch and Hospital of Misericórdia of Viana do Castelo in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers, database_item.php?id=monument;bar;pt;mon11;3;en Prepared by:,translation by:,translation copyedited by: João Alpuim Botelho,Cristina Correia,Manuel Silva Pereira,Mandi Gomez MWNF Working Number: PT 03 Main Altar Chancel Ambrósio Coelho [n.d.] The gilded wooden altarpiece in the National style of the Portuguese Baroque. Grotesco ceiling painting Church, vault 1721 Manuel Gomes de Andrade [n.d.]

3 Grotesco ceiling painting with cartouches over the High Choir depicting the Holy Trinity, Assumption of Our Lady and Escape into Egypt. Church Vault with scenes from the Life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Chancel Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes [n.d.] Azulejos decorate the chancel with scenes from the Life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, signed by Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes.

4 Azulejos depicting the 14 Acts of Mercy Church, nave Attributed to António and Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes [n.d.] Azulejos representing the 14 Acts of Mercy cover the walls of the nave. On the Gospel side are the Spiritual Works and on the Epistle side the Corporal. In the central arch, a large azulejos panel depicts Our Lady of Mercy, who with her open veil, appears as if protecting the visitors.

5 Organ in the High Choir High Choir 1721 Organ: Frei Manuel Lourenço da Conceição [n.d.] Organ cases: Manuel Pinto de Vila Lobos [n.d.] In the High Choir there is an Iberian organ with two symmetrical parts: the organ itself on the Epistle side and the organ pipes on the Gospel side. Friar Manuel Lourenço da Conceição from Oporto might have recycled some parts from a pre-existing organ, and Manuel Pinto de Vila Lobos designed the case.