Charles III handing over land to settlers in Sierra Morena

The Enlightenment project of the New Populations, begun around 1767, was drawn up by Campomanes and entrusted to Pablo de Olavide, both Enlightenment ministers, with the aim of populating large unpopulated areas, such as the deserts of Sierra Morena, La Parrilla (from Ecija to Cordoba) or La Monclova (from Ecija to Carmona), in order to make these transit territories more secure. Central European populations, mostly Germans and Flemish, arrived in these areas and were soon to be harassed by the inhabitants of nearby towns, who did not want to lose the wastelands where their livestock grazed. Soon the clashes led Charles III to decree a Royal Decree imposing severe punishments on those who coerced the settlers. As time went by, the situation of the new inhabitants improved, thus achieving a certain success of the initial project. In the centre of the picture is the monarch Charles III, crowned with laurel and wearing the armour and toga of a Roman emperor, accompanied by the Beneficence and Agriculture, handing over land in the Sierra Morena to settlers of various castes to populate and cultivate. These settlers, who kneel as he passes, are depicted with farming implements. In the distance, on the right-hand side, an allegory can be seen of how in the darkness, thieves and outlaws leave this site. Campomanes and Olavide are also depicted in the picture. Both are in the background next to the monarch. The chariot of the Sun also appears in the scene, preceded by Fame.

Collection: Images

Project: 3. Rural world and urban world in the formation of the European identity.

Chronology: XVIII

Scope: Primary Education, Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, University

Link: https://www.academiacolecciones.com/pinturas/inventario.php?id=0254

Resource type: Image

Format: Oil on canvas. 168 x 126 cm. / 176,5 x 136 cm

Source: Colección de pintura de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando

Language: Spanish

Date: 10/16/2020

Owner: María del Mar Felices de la Fuente (Modernalia)

Identifier: Nº Inventario: 0254

Abstract: The image is a painting by Joseph Alonso del Ribero, dated 1805, which depicts Charles III handing over land in the Sierra Morena to settlers who had recently arrived from different territories.

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