Behold the Estatua de Murillo. This bronze figure stands proudly a testament to artistic genius. It is a replica of a Seville statue honoring Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. The Madrid version arrived in 1863. It found a temporary home inside the Prado Museum’s lobby.
The Estatua de Murillo is more than just a pretty face. It’s a symbol of Madrid’s commitment to art. Its placement outside the Prado speaks volumes. The museum itself became a model. It demonstrated how to honor artists in public spaces near their works. This statue is one of those honors.
The story behind the Estatua de Murillo is quite intriguing. It began not in Madrid but in Seville. Sculptor Sabino Medina first created a Murillo statue for his hometown. He cleverly proposed a nearly identical copy for Madrid. This was an economical move. The existing mold in Paris could be used. The city council accepted this offer.
However placing the Estatua de Murillo wasn’t straightforward. Medina’s original proposal included an elegant pedestal. It proved too expensive for the Madrid City Council. The project took several attempts. The final design came from architect Agustín F. Peró. His colleague José Lois e Ibarra generously built it for free. He only asked to honor his father Jaime Lois another architect by engraving his name. The inscription is visible on the back of the pedestal. It reads JAIME LOIS in red. This adds a lovely personal touch to this grand monument.
The unveiling was a significant event. King Amadeo I of Savoy performed the honors on June 25 1871. This placed the Estatua de Murillo firmly in Madrid’s artistic landscape. The statue is part of the Paseo del Prado a UNESCO World Heritage site. It stands as a lasting tribute to both Murillo’s art and Madrid’s dedication to artistic heritage. The statue is a small yet significant piece of history in Madrid. Remember the story of its creation the next time you pass by.