The Brotherhood of San José Obrero has presented what will be the future step for the Nazarene of Charity, Christian headline of the corporation that processions every Passion Saturday. In a General Council of Accounts and Budgets, the brothers have approved by acclamation the execution of this new step, designed by Fernando Aguado Hernández, at the time also author of the titular stature.
Aguado, brother of the brotherhood, will also carry out the imagery and painting, also in charge of the workshop of Enrique Gonzálvez of the carpentry, the ornamental carving Francisco Verdugo and the execution of the goldsmithing in the workshop of Orfebrería Andaluza-Hnos. from the rivers. The inclusion of the chandeliers as the main point of light is striking. In Seville, only two iconographies of the Nazarene carry chandeliers instead of lanterns: Humildad del Cerro del Águila and Señor de la Salud de la Candelaria. To the Cabildo have attended around fifty brothersand the intention, according to sources from the corporation, is that a first phase of the step be released on Passion Saturday of 2025.
Design
The step is conceived as an iconographic work of his dedication “LA CARIDAD”. In this kick drum design and profiles with wind fender sconces, Most of the technical disciplines at the service of ornamentation for a processional step are present: cabinetmaking, carving, goldsmithing, gold-plated sculpture, ornamental painting, easel painting, relief embroidery and trimmings. They all go in unison, complementing the ornamental elements of the Baroque style with the sculptural and pictorial iconographic program.
Technically it will not be a standard varnished carving in a single tone, but will combine different colors of wood. In this way -insists the corporation- “a great richness of colors and nuances will be achieved keeping a controlled range that will go from the dull gold of the goldsmith, passing through the earths and blacks of the ornamental carving to colors that are not strident for the imagery, the paintings and the gold stews of the fruits and flowers, trying to imitate to the inlay of wood, called this technique tarecea, in some parts of the bass drum and vents as a decorative element”.
The iconographic reading begins at the front of the passage, the vent that is traversed by a red cloth pavilion supported by sculptural cherubic angels, will have in its center, the pictorial representation of the Mystic Lamb, symbol of the Sacramental character of the Brotherhood; and just below presiding over a painting of San José Obrero.
The iconographic program of the cartouches will also be related to the charitable and compassionate action of Christ as well as the link with Saint Joseph. The following cartouches will be represented: Jesus the Carpenter, Jesus with the Children, Stoning of the Adulteress, Lord, I am not worthy of you entering my house, Healing of the Blind Man, Multiplication of loaves and fish, Wedding at Cana and Resurrection of Lazarus.
In the basket, the sculptural images of Faith and Hope as theological virtues that will accompany the motto CHARITAS of the Order of Minims that govern the Convent, the Parish Church, and spiritually direct our Brotherhood and that is why our owner received the dedication of Charity. The rear, will be the other theological virtues, Temperance and Justice, which escort the motto of Mary on a break of glory identical to the front. The rear vent will house in its central part a painting of San Francisco de Paula, the Saint of Charity, Patron of the Minims and also Head of the Brotherhood. All the paintings will be done on golden boards.
The costales follow the scheme of the lead, but in this case they will be the four evangelists who escort the breaks of glory, which in this case will keep two Latin texts alluding to Christ and his dedication. In the case of the left coast, San Marcos and San Lucas with the phrase: EGO SUM VIA, VERITAS ET VITA (I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE). On the right side will be San Juan and San Mateo with the phrase: BEATIUS EST MAGIS DARE QUAM ACCIPERE (There is more happiness in giving than in receiving), alluding to Charity itself.
The skirts will be purple velvet, the color with which the Lord is dressed for his processional exit due to its symbolic penitential character and will be adorned with brooches embroidered in gold enhancement and a perimeter braid in tonal consonance with the fringes and tassels that finish off the vents. for its final part.
