Madrid, November 17 – The Regional Library has announced the acquisition of an unpublished manuscript by the Madrid author Francisco Zea, coinciding with the bicentennial of his birth (1825-1857).
A Significant Acquisition for Romantic Literature
The newly acquired work, a verse composition titled Patria y religión (Homeland and Religion), was penned in 1842. As its title suggests, the piece delves into two fundamental concepts integral to the romantic ideology of the era. The manuscript is dedicated to the aristocrat, politician, and writer Salvador Bermúdez de Castro. It bears the author’s signature, “Franco. Cea,” following the dedication, and is dated “Año de 1841. Francisco Cea” on the final page.
Francisco Zea: A Prolific, Posthumously Recognized Author
Francisco de Zea was a notable figure in 19th-century Spanish literature and journalism. He contributed to prominent newspapers such as El observador, El Orden, and El Semanario pintoresco español, often employing the pseudonyms El bachiller Sansón Carrasco and El lazarillo de Tormes. Despite his prolific output, many of his works remained unpublished during his lifetime, seeing print only after his death.
His collected works, titled Obras en verso y prosa de Don Francisco de Zea (Madrid: Imprenta Nacional, 1858), were published posthumously. The State undertook the publication, and, as stated in the prologue, the proceeds were intended “to provide relief to the poor creatures who today mourn, as on the first day, the death of a son and a husband.” This detail underscores the personal tragedy that surrounded the author’s life and the dedication of those who sought to honor his memory through his literary legacy.
The Significance of the Discovery
The acquisition of this manuscript is a significant event for literary scholars and enthusiasts, offering new insights into Zea’s creative process and his engagement with the prevailing themes of his time. The work’s focus on “Patria y religión” provides a valuable lens through which to examine the social, political, and cultural currents of 19th-century Spain.
The Regional Library’s commitment to preserving and making accessible such invaluable historical documents ensures that the rich literary heritage of Madrid and Spain continues to be explored and appreciated by future generations. This discovery further solidifies Francisco Zea’s place within the canon of Spanish Romanticism.
The manuscript will be made available for study and research, contributing to a deeper understanding of a period marked by profound transformations and intense artistic expression.
