Did Fernando VI ever imagine his likeness would grace the Plaza de la Villa de París? Here stands the Estatua de Fernando VI, a silent observer of Madrid’s vibrant life. This statue holds a fascinating tale, a journey marked by relocation and royal intrigue. The Estatua de Fernando VI depicts the king in regal attire. He’s clad in a coat and breeches, draped with the royal mantle. He holds the mantle with his left hand. A sash bearing the Order of the Holy Spirit crosses his torso. His head is adorned with the characteristic wig of the era. His left foot rests upon a cornucopia overflowing with grain, flowers, and fruit. This symbolizes the wealth of Aranjuez, the royal site for which the statue was originally created. A lion sits at his feet, partially hidden by the royal mantle.
Originally, the statue was part of the Fuente del Rey in Aranjuez. It was designed by Giovan Domenico Olivieri and intended to crown the fountain created by architect Santiago Bonavía. The fountain also featured three Carrara marble lions, which remain in Aranjuez. Olivieri crafted the statue in Madrid and then transported it to Aranjuez. He received 30,000 reales de vellón for the entire project: 15,000 for the statue and 5,000 for each lion. The Estatua de Fernando VI was installed at the fountain in Aranjuez’s main square in April 1752.
However, the statue’s location was not permanent. After the arrival of Charles III in February 1760, the site’s architect, Jaime Marquet, received orders to remove the statue from the fountain. It was moved to the courtyard of the Convent of the Visitation of Salesas Reales in August 1761. This convent held the tombs of Fernando VI and Bárbara de Braganza, its founders. Years later, in 1882, the convent became the Palace of Justice. The Estatua de Fernando VI was moved once again. It found its final home here in the Plaza de la Villa de París, alongside a statue of his wife, Bárbara de Braganza. The pedestal of the Estatua de Fernando VI bears an inscription that commemorates the building’s new purpose. It reads: “H.M. THE KING/D. FERNANDO 6th/FOUNDER/OF THE/BUILDING/DESTINED/TO BE A/PALACE/OF/JUSTICE.” So, as you admire the Estatua de Fernando VI, remember its journey. It’s a journey that reflects the changing tides of Spanish royalty and the enduring legacy of Fernando VI.