Page 23 - The mystery of faith

Gregorio Fernández was the outstanding sculptor in Valladolid from around 1605 until his death in
1636. He carved devotional images of Christ at the Column (Valladolid, Church of Vera Cruz;
Fig. 7) and Christ lying on a bier (Cristo yacente), as well as processional figures for the religious
confraternities. The latter constitute a specialty of Spanish sculptors called upon to provide the realistic
sculptures depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ that were and are carried through the streets by
members of penitential confraternities during Holy Week (Figs. 8a, b).
Processional sculptures perhaps most vividly exemplify the close relationship between art and faith in
Spain that received renewed emphasis following the Council of Trent (1545–1563).11 The decisions
taken by the council refuted what were considered Protestant heresies and strengthened Roman
Catholic dogma concerning the Eucharist: the efficacy of the saints and, in particular, the interventions

Fig. 8a

Fig. 7 Fig. 8b

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