Osama Dawod recording a 17th-century Renaissance alabaster altarpiece,
intricately carved with scenes of the Last Supper, the Four Cardinal Virtues,
and figures of Saint Benedict and Saint Bernard © Factum Foundation
The complex is notable for its Renaissance architecture (the convent was completely rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries), but it still contains elements from earlier periods, including a fragment of Romanesque wall paintings, a polychromed horseshoe archway with pointed and crossed arches, and a painted wooden ceiling featuring heraldic motifs.
Promoted by the CEEH (Centro de Estudios Europa Hispánica), this new project focuses on recording the treasures of the Monastery with the aim of contributing to their preservation and dissemination through both digital and physical reproductions. This process will enable a rediscovery that supports the long-term maintenance of the building complex and the community it houses.
Facsimiles of the artworks and objects, created from the digitised data, will be integrated in a new exhibition space under the convent, accessible to the general public. The facsimiles will provide a curated itinerary and context for a selection of original objects from the Monastery on display for the first time.
The project seeks to facilitate new modes of access to the rich heritage of Toledo, highlighting the value of the surfaces and textures of historic artefacts that are often overlooked. It proposes a different approach to how art and culture are shared and experienced today. More information about this project will be shared soon.
Tristan Kelleher recording a bronze bell in Toledo © Osama Dawod | Factum Foundation
