THE
COLLECTION
Walk through the museum rooms
The story of the museum revolves around three key themes on each of the three floors: the history of the Requesens family in Molins de Rei, the principal characteristics of Renaissance art, and everyday life in the 16th century.
SALA 5
Two things that were very important from both the functional and the decorative point of view in Renaissance houses and palaces were tapestries and furniture. The Museu del Renaixement has two outstanding and unique examples on display which provide an insight into everyday life at that time.
Willem Dermoyen’s workshop. Brussels
Triumph of Time over Fame, between 1540-1550, wool and silk tapestry
Reserve of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, 2023
Generalitat de Catalunya, National Art Collection
MNAC 214100
© Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Barcelona 2024
This tapestry, of truly exceptional size, was acquired along with three other pieces by the Diputació del General de Catalunya in the mid-16th century, probably to decorate a hall of the Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona. It illustrates the famous poem by Francesco Petrarca, The Triumphs, written in the mid-14th century and very popular in European courts during the Renaissance. Specifically, this tapestry depicts the fourth of the six poems in the cycle: the triumph of Time over Fame, with iconography clearly influenced by the humanist spirit.
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Pere Nunyes and Enrique Fernández circle (Catalonia)
Chest of drawers, 1525-1550, wood
Commodate from the DHub Design Museum
MADB 64.158
This is a type of furniture typical of Catalonia, widely used from the late 15th century to the late 18th century. In some cases, it could serve as a bridal chest, to store the dowry and personal belongings, which is why it is also known by that name. As is common, in addition to the drawers behind the door and other compartments, this chest has a flat lid with painted decoration on the inside, depicting an Annunciation, clearly alluding to the wish for prosperity in marriage.
