Valencian school of the 20th century.

Valencian school of the 20th century.
"The mystery of Elche".
Set of four serigraphs on paper. Edition of 2500 copies.
Signed and justified at the bottom.
This work is auctioned with the purpose of raising funds to support the victims of the DANA in Valencia.
Work donated by Eduardo Martínez Agulló.
Measurements: 50 x 40 cm.

The Misteri d'Elx is a religious work of sacred-lyrical character that narrates the episodes of the Dormition, Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin Mary. This representation takes place in two acts, on August 14 and 15, inside the Basilica of Santa Maria, in the city of Elche (Alicante).

According to recent research, the origin of the work is located in the second half of the fifteenth century, which contrasts with local traditions that link it, on the one hand, with the conquest of Elche by the Muslims in 1265, and, on the other hand, with the discovery of the image of the Virgin on December 29, 1370 in a wooden chest, in the nearby town of Santa Pola.

It is the only play of its kind that has been performed uninterruptedly to this day, even overcoming the restrictions imposed by the Council of Trent, which prohibited theatrical performances inside churches. However, in 1632, Pope Urban VIII granted the people of Elche, by means of a pontifical rescript, the permission to continue with the representation, disallowing the attempt of prohibition of the bishop of Orihuela.