D. SANCHO [2024]
QUINTA DA FONTE [Lisbon, Portugal]
A commissioned art project by Cushman&Wakfield for a MEAG building at Quinta da Fonte
ANA VELEZ - JOANA GOMES - MARIA SASSETTI
A commissioned art project by Cushman&Wakfield for a MEAG building at Quinta da Fonte.
D. Sancho I, the second king of Portugal and son of D. Afonso Henriques, continued the work of expanding the kingdom and consolidating its territory.
The seat of his reign was in Coimbra, from where originates the Cross of D. Sancho I, inevitably linked to the recent kingdom identity affirmation. This golden piece, combines different dimensions: historical, symbolic, political, religious, identity-related, material, and artistic. On the back side of the cross are the four apocalyptic creatures - eagle, lion, ox, and angel - symbols of the Evangelists. In the center is the Mystic Lamb.
For the D. Sancho I building, the animals that appear on this iconic cross are represented in cut aluminum plates and a neon. Each animal is intervened with acrylic paint following references from art history and medieval bestiaries, and displayed in an organic composition. A medieval coin with the portrait of the king identifies building.
Atelier Contencioso
