Facsimile "La defensa de Zaragoza"
José Álvarez Cubero
Ayuntamiento de Priego 2007

The "Defensa de Zaragoza" depicts an important event in Spain's independence from Napoleon's France. The artist sculpted the piece just after the end of the French occupation and it became his most important work. The sculpture represents a contemporary episode when a son defended his father during the seizure of Zaragoza. The sculpture refers formally to the classic world and is a seminal piece of the Spanish Neo-Classical period.

The original sculpture is owned by Museo del Prado and will be shown in the museum once it has been restored. With its collaboration, Factum Arte is producing a facsimile commissioned by the Ayuntamiento de Priego de Córdoba, hometown to the sculptor. The final piece will be on permanent display in Priego.

The facsimile copy has been made from silicone moulds taken from the original sculpture. The works have been carried out under supervision of conservators from the Museo del Prado, prior to its restauration.

To reproduce the superficial qualities of the piece, the facsimile has been cast in a mixture of marble and resin, similar to the Carrara marble used in the original. The mixture contains elements resistant to UV rays and corrosion and it has a degree of elasticity in order to resist all outdoors elements, which could affect the durability of the sculpture.

José Álvarez Cubero wan born in 1768, studied sculture at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes in Madrid and later developed his skills in Paris and Rome. In this city, he met Cánova who greatly influenced his production.