Monument to Philip IV of Spain


The Monument to Philip IV or Fountain of Philip IV is a memorial to Philip IV of Spain in the centre of Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, Spain.[1] It was raised at the insistence of Isabella II of Spain in the first half of the 19th century, opening on 17 November 1843, a year before Narciso Pascual y Colomer came up with the square's final layout. However, its equestrian statue of the king dates to the 17th century and was produced by the Italian sculptor Pietro Tacca.[1][2] It was begun in 1634 and shipped to Madrid in 1640, the year of his death. The sculpture, atop a complicated fountain composition, forms the centerpiece of the façade of the Royal Palace. The statue was based in drawings by Diego Velázquez and a bust by Juan Martínez Montañés (who also collaborated on the work).[1][2] The daring stability of the statue was calculated by Galileo Galilei: the horse rears, and the entire weight of the sculpture balances on the two rear legs—and, discreetly, its tail— a feat that had never been attempted in a figure on a heroic scale, of which Leonardo had dreamed.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Leapman, Michael (2014). DK Eyewitness Travel Madrid. DK. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-40932-926-8.
- ^ a b "Escultura. El caballo de bronce". cvc.cervantes.es (in Spanish). Centro Virtual Cervantes.
40°25′06″N 3°42′44″W / 40.41833°N 3.71220°W
- Monuments and memorials in Madrid
- Buildings and structures in Palacio neighborhood, Madrid
- Equestrian statues in Madrid
- Cultural depictions of Philip IV of Spain
- Royal monuments
- Buildings and structures completed in 1843
- Outdoor sculptures in Madrid
- Statues of monarchs
- 1843 establishments in Spain
- Sculptures of men in Spain
- Bronze sculptures in Spain
- Sculpture stubs
- Spanish culture stubs