Ornamental marbles in the decoration of the Madrid Royal Palace

Abstract

The author demonstrates the eminently national character of the marble decorations of the Madrid Royal Palace, resulting from the personal initiative of the Bourbons. This meant the reconnaissance and exhaustive exploitation of national quarries during the 18^th century, as well as the search for marble masons to execute this ornamentation. It was also necessary to create and organize the Royal Marble Workshop, in which much of the work was carried out, not only for the Madrid Palace but also for other Palaces in the Reales Sitios, religious buildings and even private individuals. Other aspects here disclosed include the first, unpublished project for the Casamiento de Mármoles (matching of marbles) devised by the architect Juan Bautista Saqueti to decorate the Palace, the origin and variety of the chosen materials and the criteria followed in this selection. All was put into practice obeying and satisfying royal desires.