Two paintings from the 17th century that are preserved in the sacristy of the Basilica of La Mercè are the graphic evidence that the patroness of Barcelona had until the beginning of the 19th century a valuable silver throne that was taken by Napoleon's troops when they left withdraw, in 1814, from the city. In fact, these two canvases are probably the only graphic documentation that the throne ever existed.
The square was decorated with a series of cherubs arranged around its perimeter and above the cloak that then covered the patroness, in addition to the city's coat of arms. The first painting is in the sacristy room and was acquired a few years ago at auction by the parish, precisely because of the pictorial representation of the throne. To the right of the Virgin you can see a human figure, representing the sponsor of the work.
The second canvas, smaller in size, is also in the sacristy, but inside the office of the rector, Fermín Delgado, who explains that at the beginning of the Civil War it was kept by a parishioner and returned to the parish a few years ago years. In this case, the painting is richer in details. Father Fermín highlights the coincidence in the design of the throne in both paintings.
The throne disappeared when Napoleon's army, which had occupied the city in 1808, finally withdrew in 1814. At that time, the basilica was part of the convent of the Mercedarians – the current Capitania –, one of the buildings requisitioned by the troops invaders The image of Mercy had then been placed in a safe place in the cathedral to prevent it from being profaned. The same thing that had happened in 1714 during the Bourbon siege of Barcelona.
The current baroque basilica began to be built in 1765 and the works lasted ten years. It replaced the previous Gothic temple.
The despoiled throne was made in 1689, two years after the Council of Cent proclaimed Mercè as patron of the city, who had been asked for protection against a plague of locusts that started in 1867 and lasted for a year .
