FRANCISCO DE BORJA

Diego As, one of the best graffiti artists in the world, has created this large-scale mural representing Saint Francis Borgia, patron saint of the Ducal City. Covering the whole facade of a Hotel (Borgia) and sponsored by the Gandía Local Council

It is a mural featuring sculptural hyperrealism and a grayscale palette full of details and nuances of the figure of Gandia's patron saint. He is depicted alongside elements that recall the Borgia family and the Ducal Palace, such as the double crown or the starry sky of the chapel consecrated to Saint Francis Borgia, or some beautiful Valencian ceramic tiles. For these elements, the artist uses turquoise and yellow tones and a more pop art style.

Specifically, Diego AS based his work on the sculpture of the saint located in the National Palace of Mafra, Portugal, and on the iconic image of the duke carrying the skull of Empress Isabella, wife of Charles V, whom he had served, comparing the ephemeral life of a Queen with the eternal life of God

The mural was created as part of the celebration of the Holy Year in honor of Francis Borgia, which took place from October 3, 2021 and ended on October 3, 2022, marking the 450th anniversary of his death.