The Royal Alcázar of Seville begins the comprehensive restoration of the sculptural ensemble of the Mercury Pond, a Renaissance work from the 16th century. The original pieces will be preserved inside the monument and will be replaced by an exact replica.
The Board of the Royal Alcázar of Seville has launched the project for the comprehensive restoration of the Mercury Pond, one of the jewels of Spanish Renaissance. The work, which will be carried out under the direction of the monument's manager, Ana Jáuregui, involves replacing the original statue with an identical copy to ensure its long-term conservation.
The sculptural ensemble, created between 1576 and 1577 by the sculptor Diego de Pesquera and the founder Bartolomé Morel, has presided over one of the most emblematic spaces in the gardens of the Alcázar for almost 450 years. The work is a prominent example of the lost-wax casting technique and mercury gilding, and there are hardly any similar monumental ensembles in Spain prior to the 19th century.
Scientific studies conducted in recent years revealed advanced deterioration due to continuous exposure to moisture, pond water, and environmental variations. The analyses detected active corrosion processes associated with the so-called 'bronze disease', loss of the original gilding, previous interventions with incompatible materials, and the accumulation of calcareous crusts and dirt that obscured sculptural details.
After the preventive disassembly in 2023, the Board deemed a comprehensive restoration essential to halt the degradation processes and recover the artistic reading of the ensemble. The intervention will adhere to international principles of heritage conservation, with criteria of minimal intervention, reversibility, and maximum respect for authenticity.
The most significant decision of the project is that the original sculptures will be permanently preserved in an interior space of the Royal Alcázar, with controlled environmental conditions. Technical reports advise against returning the pieces to their original location due to the risk of further damage. Instead, an exact replica will preside over the pond, maintaining the aesthetics of the original ensemble.
The multidisciplinary team responsible for the restoration consists of restorers, art historians, and scientific specialists, who will apply the most advanced conservation techniques. The intervention is considered of great heritage relevance, as the Mercury Pond is one of the most important gilded bronze sculptural ensembles in Europe.
The project also includes the cleaning and consolidation of the pond's base, as well as the repair of the hydraulic system that feeds the fountain. The work is expected to last several months, although the Board has not specified a definitive schedule.
For visitors to the Alcázar, the replica will allow them to continue enjoying the iconic image of the pond without interruption, while the original can be viewed in a new exhibition room within the monument. This solution aims to reconcile heritage conservation with public enjoyment.
The Mercury Pond is a symbol of Seville linked to trade with America during the imperial era. The restoration will ensure that future generations can appreciate this masterpiece of the Renaissance in optimal conditions.
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