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Marqués del Duero

Marqués del Duero, also known as Monumento al Marqués del Duero, is a public monument in Madrid, Spain. It stands in the centre of the Plaza del Doctor Marañón and features a bronze equestrian statue of Manuel Gutiérrez de la Concha e Irigoyen, a general noted for his role in the fight against Carlism. The statue is set on a stone pedestal decorated with two reliefs showing key episodes from his life, including his intervention in Portugal in 1847 and the circumstances of his death during the Third Carlist War. Cast in bronze in Seville from cannons loaned by the Spanish State, it was unveiled on 27 June 1885.

Marqués del Duero equestrian statue of a man on a rearing horse atop a stone pedestal.
The Marqués del Duero equestrian monument, shown from a low angle against a clear blue sky.
October 2006 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Marqués del Duero equestrian statue stands on a decorated plinth behind a low iron fence in Madrid.
Marqués del Duero, an equestrian monument in Madrid, shown in a vintage black-and-white photograph.
© Rijksmuseum · CC0
Marqués del Duero monument beside a wide tree-lined avenue in Madrid, with a fence and buildings in the background.
The Marqués del Duero monument stands along a broad avenue in Madrid, shown here in a vintage postcard view.
© Desconocido (Publicadas por Huecograbado Mumbrú, Barcelona) · Public domain
Bronze relief panel on the Marqués del Duero monument showing a battle scene with soldiers, a horse, and wounded figures.
Bronze relief panel on the Marqués del Duero monument, depicting a battle scene with soldiers and wounded men.
October 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bronze low-relief panel on the Marqués del Duero monument showing horsemen and standing figures before a cityscape.
Bronze relief panel on the Marqués del Duero monument, depicting a historical scene with horsemen and figures in front of a cityscape.
October 2006 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleMarqués del Duero
English translation of alternate nameMonument to the Marquis of the Duero
TypePublic art equestrian statue
Alternate nameMonumento al Marqués del Duero

Location and ownership

Unveiling date27 June 1885
LocationCentre of Plaza del Doctor Marañón, Madrid, Spain

Creator

ArtistAndrés Aleu
Relief artistPablo Gibert

Historical context

Depicted personManuel Gutiérrez de la Concha e Irigoyen, known as Marqués del Duero
Depicted roleGeneral
Historical significance of depicted personProminent in the fight against Carlism
Associated warThird Carlist War
Honors and titles depictedReceived the Order of the Tower and Sword from the Portuguese government and the noble title of Marqués del Duero and Grandee of Spain from the Spanish government

Physical characteristics

Height4.55 meters
Weight8,280 kilograms

Materials

Statue materialBronze
Pedestal materialStone
Pedestal at inaugurationMarble base with three steps

Technique

Casting locationSeville, Spain
Casting material sourceCast from cannons loaned by the Spanish state
FundingFunded by a nationwide popular subscription

Appearance

FormEquestrian statue
Pedestal decorationTwo reliefs on the longitudinal sides of the pedestal
Pedestal form at inaugurationThree-tiered base

Iconography and meaning

InscriptionAl capitán general, Marqués del Duero
Relief 1 subjectSpanish intervention in Portugal in 1847 during the Portuguese Civil War, showing Gutiérrez de la Concha entering Porto and being received by António César de Vasconcelos
Relief 2 subjectDeath of General Gutiérrez de la Concha on 27 June 1874 after the Battle of Monte Muro during the Third Carlist War, showing his aides lifting his wounded body onto a horse

History and restoration

Inauguration settingSurrounded by several rows of flower pots

Significance

Claim about significanceReported to be the first equestrian statue cast in Spain since the 17th century