EZCARAY COLLECTION / GOLD LEAF ON WOOD

The San Fernando Mission is home to a fine collection of artwork. Part of this collection is an ornate l7th century chapel from Ezcaray, Spain.

Most of the chapel art consists of "Baroque" woodwork made from solid blocks of black walnut and Spanish cedar. This carved wood was then surfaced with minutely hammered gold leaf. These wood "furnishings," paid for by a wealthy silk manufacturer (Domingo Angel), were completed l687.

In l925, the chapel was dismantled and put into storage. In l934, a Pasadena art collector, Raymond Gould, bought the collection and took it to the United States. Gould later died and a consortium acquired the furnishings. It was intended that the art collection be used in a new Catholic cathedral on Wilshire Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California. This never materialized so, temporarily, the collection would be stored at the San Fernando Mission. It has now become a permanent part of the San Fernando Mission. In l94l, the "Ezcaray Chapel Exhibit" was opened to the public and was on display through the mid-80's. Many of the pieces are now part of the altar in the San Fernando Mission chapel.

EZCARAY COLLECTION / GOLD LEAF ON WOOD

The detailed carvings and woodwork of the Ezcaray Chapel represent the only authentic Spanish Chapel in the United States. The meticulously executed vine and leaf designs have been described as representing "a skill of workmanship, a beauty of design and lavishness of ornamentation that has passed from the modern scene."

The mass of complicated "beaten" gold leaf is accentuated by traces of red, blue and green polychrome. The many hand carved images or visual symbols used in the Ezcaray Collection serve as a link to Catholic tradition.

EZCARAY COLLECTION / LARGE BELLS

Behind the Convento Building hang two large bells that were originally part of the "Ezcaray Art Collection." These bells, which were used to call the faithful to prayer services, now add a colorful backdrop to the beautiful San Fernando Mission grounds. They are hung in a way that any visitor to the mission can examine them closely while touring the well-maintained gardens.