The canvas, which showed considerable deterioration, especially in its lower section, will now be displayed in a new location within the temple, making it more accessible to residents and visitors of Baeza.
The piece stands out for its unique iconography, where the Virgin is depicted as a 'New Eve', descending from heaven by divine command to rise above the tempting serpent. Unlike traditional representations, the figure wears a red tunic, symbolizing the Passion, beneath the characteristic blue mantle of eternity, which gives the ensemble intense visual drama and notable artistic value.
The previous condition of the work was alarming, with the canvas unnailed, unstretched, and with significant polychrome losses. The stretcher showed structural damage from xylophagous insects and a fracture, while the pictorial layer was obscured by dirt, candle smoke, and oxidized varnishes.
“"It looks great and has been a very rewarding job, with colors that were what I expected in a work of such quality."
Restorer María Isabel Alba Fernández de Moya carried out a process that included surface consolidation, the application of patches and grafts, meticulous cleaning with high-precision chemical and mechanical methods, chromatic reintegration with varnish pigments, and a final protective layer. The frame was also thoroughly rehabilitated, reconstructing lost decorative moldings from casts of the preserved original pieces.
“"A magnificent work from a magnificent piece."
“"More accessible for all citizens of Baeza and for all people who wish to visit it."
