French Bedroom
The second room we will visit in this section of the Viana Palace was also used to host the marquises’ guests; it is the French Bedroom.
Decoration and Style
In this bedroom, softly lit, the exuberant fantasy of the Louis XV and Regency styles prevails. Two large 17th-century Brussels tapestries, depicting two well-known biblical scenes in art, hang on two of its walls. Both compositions share similarities, such as being framed by cherubs holding garlands, suggesting that they may have belonged to the same series.
The first one, “The Conversion of Saint Paul“, depicts the Saint after falling from the horse he was riding on his way to Damascus; the second, “The Liberation of Saint Peter from Herod’s Prison“, shows how the Angel enters the prison in Jerusalem with the purpose of rescuing the Saint from among the guards.
Old Portraits in the Bedroom
In the past, on the other wall of the French Bedroom, there was a full-length portrait of “General Franco“, which once presided over municipal life, as it was on loan at the Viana Palace from the Córdoba City Council.
The work of the well-known Cordoban painter Rafael Serrano, it was located in this room because it was here that the former Spanish Head of State stayed during his two visits to our city, in April 1953 and May 1961. Recently, the portrait was returned to the City Council, its owner.
Other Paintings
On the wall still to be discussed, there is a remarkable portrait by Miguel Jacinto Meléndez, depicting “Queen Elisabeth Farnese“, wife of King Philip V. The Queen is shown holding a child in her arms, who has been speculated to be the future Monarch Charles III.
There is a second painting, this time anonymous and painted on copper, which represents “The Apostle James at the Battle of Clavijo“.
Lastly, we mention a “Virgin of Mount Carmel with the Child Jesus“, handing scapulars to Saint Teresa and Saint John of the Cross. It is a work from the Seville school, currently attributed to the painter Germán Lorente.
Visit to the French Bedroom
If you’re wondering what to visit in Córdoba, a good option would be the Viana Palace, by choosing one of our guided tours. This way, you will be able to learn everything about the French Bedroom. Choosing quality tourism means choosing ArtenCórdoba.
Text: J.A.S.C.
The French Bedroom is one of the historic rooms of the Palace of Viana, formerly used to host the guests of the marquises. It is characterized by its Louis XV and Regency style decoration, featuring a dimly lit environment and refined aristocratic taste.
Two large 17th-century Brussels tapestries adorn the bedroom. They depict biblical scenes — the Conversion of Saint Paul and the Liberation of Saint Peter — and share a common aesthetic with cherub frames and garlands, suggesting they were part of the same series.
The French Bedroom housed a full-length portrait of General Franco, created by Rafael Serrano, as he stayed here during his visits to Córdoba in 1953 and 1961. The painting was on loan from the City Council and was recently returned to its original owner.
In addition to the tapestries, there are works such as a portrait of Queen Isabel of Farnese holding a child, attributed to Miguel Jacinto Meléndez, an anonymous copper painting of the Apostle Santiago in the Battle of Clavijo, and a Virgin of Carmen with the Child Jesus, attributed to Germán Lorente.
The French Bedroom can be visited as part of the tour of the Palace of Viana in Córdoba. It is recommended to do so via guided tours with ArtenCórdoba, to thoroughly learn about its history, artworks, and cultural context.
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