Glazed Tiles from the 16th Century in the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Prado (Talavera de la Reina, Spain): The Case of the Procession of Virgins and Tercios in Front of Christ

The tilework of Talavera de la Reina (Toledo, Spain) was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019, with one of its landmarks being the tilework preserved in the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Prado, known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Talavera tilework’. In the entrance portico to the Basilica, we find the ceramic panel of Virgins and Tercios in front of Christ, which should be reinterpreted as two different compositions: virgins in front of Mary and tercios in front of Christ (milites Christi), on which we will focus our research. The analysis of the location and state of conservation of the pieces that currently make up this panel, as well as the existence of pieces in various areas of the Basilica, which most likely belong to each of the compositions, allow us to propose a recomposition and reintegration of elements that would enable a better view and interpretation of these panels. To this end, a scientific methodology and appropriate intervention criteria are proposed to completely recompose this panel through the restoration of all the necessary pieces. This example can be extrapolated to the rest of the altarpieces and interior panels of the Basilica, which would facilitate their proper conservation, interpretation and dissemination.