5 works of art you’ll see during your visit to Seville Cathedral

Seville is a land of great artists, who drew inspiration from this region to create their depictions of the divine. In this context, Seville Cathedral boasts one of Europe’s finest collections of religious art and is regarded as one of the largest and finest art galleries in Spain.

During our guided tours of Seville Cathedral, as well as gaining access to one of the city’s main monuments, you’ll be able to see a series of paintings of great importance in the history of Spain. Here’s a look at 5 of the main works of art you’ll see during your visit to the Cathedral:

1. The Immaculate Conception by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1662)

This ‘Immaculate Conception’ was the first painting commissioned by the Chapter of Seville Cathedral from Murillo, the painter who best captured the essence of Seville and its people. It is located in the Chapter House, one of the most distinctive rooms in the cathedral, at such a height and bathed in such natural light that it is impossible not to be captivated by its beauty.

Murillo’s ‘Immaculate Conception’ in the Cathedral is one of the most important works in the iconography of this figure and is a must-see for anyone taking a guided tour of Seville Cathedral.

2. Saints Justa and Rufina by Francisco de Goya (1817)

The Holy Martyrs of the city of Seville also have their place in various rooms of Seville Cathedral. But of all the depictions of them, the one by the Zaragoza-born painter Francisco de Goya stands out in particular. This large-scale painting is located in the Sacristy of the Chalices.

This painting is rich in symbolism relating to the story of the sisters Justa and Rufina and their martyrdom, so we recommend you visit this room during your visit to the Cathedral and take in every detail.

3. *La Magdalena* by Artemisia Gentileschi (17th century)

Seville Cathedral also houses works by female painters. One such example is the Roman Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi. Her depiction of Mary Magdalene is located in the Treasury Room and is also a must-see for anyone taking a guided tour that includes entry to Seville Cathedral.

Not many cathedrals can boast of having, amongst their collection, a work by one of the most prestigious female painters of Baroque Europe, a leading exponent of Caravaggism. For this very reason, *La Magdalena* is another painting you simply mustn’t miss during your guided tour of Seville Cathedral.

4. *The Vision of Saint Anthony* by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1656)

This is the largest painting by Murillo and it is also on display inside Seville Cathedral, more specifically in the Chapel of Saint Anthony, also known as the Baptismal Chapel.

The painting depicting the infant Jesus and the saint from Lisbon also has its own unique history: in 1874, it was targeted by a thief, who cut off the figure of Saint Anthony, which later turned up in New York. If you look closely at the painting, you’ll be able to see the marks left by the cut and the subsequent restoration. We encourage you to spot them during your tour of Seville Cathedral.

5. ‘Virgin of Bethlehem’ by Alonso Cano (1635–1637)

As well as the major works of art that adorn the various rooms of Seville Cathedral, there are also smaller works which, whilst modest in size, are of immense artistic significance. Such is the case with the ‘Virgen de Belén’ by the Andalusian painter Alonso Cano.

The painting is located in a small altarpiece in the Chapel of the Virgin of Bethlehem, next to the so-called Centenary Altar. We recommend that you pay particular attention to this area of Seville Cathedral during your visit, so as not to miss this beautiful work of art depicting a Virgin who features prominently in Sevillian pictorial iconography.