The Chronological Serie of the Kings of Spain: an overview of the project conceived by José de Madrazo and Isabel II

Abstract

In the mid-19th century, one of the most important museum projects of the century emerged, specifically that conceived by Isabella II and José de Madrazo, then director of the Royal Museum of Painting and Sculpture. The undertaking consisted of displaying the royal effigies from the first Visigoth king to Isabella II herself in various rooms of the Royal Museum. To this end, the existing works in the royal collections relating to the Austrian and Bourbon dynasties were brought together, and portraits of the Catholic Monarchs and their predecessors were commissioned specifically for this purpose. The article provides an overview of the origin and structure of the project, as well as its dissemination through the deposit system.