The second room we will visit in this part of Viana Palace was also dedicated to hosting the marquis and marchioness’s guests. It was the French Bedroom.

In this dim-lighted bedroom, the main element is the lush fantasy of the styles of Louis XV and the Regency. Hanging on one of the walls, there are two big tapestries from Brussels from the 17th century, representing Biblical scenes which are well known in art. Both compositions have similarities, such as being framed by angels carrying garlands, which makes us think they could have belonged to the same series. The first of them, “The Conversion of Saint Paul“, represents the Saint after falling from the horse he was riding on his way to Damascus; the second one, “The Release of Saint Peter from Herod’s prison“, shows us the Angel entering the prison in Jerusalem with the aim of rescuing the Saint from the guards.

In the past, on the other wall of the French Bedroom we could see a complete portrait of “General Franco“, which in other times was at the front of the local life, as it was located in the deposit of Viana Palace by the City Council of Córdoba. Painted by the famous painter Rafael Serrano from Córdoba, it was in this room because it was here where he stayed while he was Chief of State in his two visits to our city, in April 1953 and May 1961. The portrait was recently given back to the City Council, its owner.

On the remaining wall, we can highlight a portrait by Miguel Jacinto Meléndez, representing the “Queen Isabel de Farnesio“, King Felipe V’s wife. The Queen is depicted with a child in her arms, who is thought to be the future King Carlos III. There is a second picture, in this case an anonymous one, painted on copper, representing “Apostle Saint James at the Battle of Clavijo“.

Finally, we should mention a “Virgin of Carmen with baby Jesus“, giving scapulars to Saint Theresa and Saint John of the Cross. It is a work by the school from Seville, currently attributed to the painter Germán Lorente.

If you are wondering what to visit in Córdoba, a good option would be Viana Palace, choosing one of our guided tours. This way, you will learn everything about the French Bedroom. Choosing to do high quality sightseeing is choosing ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.