Main Characters
Fray Cristóbal de Torres
In 1653, Fray Cristobal de Torres founded the Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Being born in Burgos, he entered the Dominican Order there and began his teaching, which continued in Toledo and Toro. A devotee of the Virgin, he received the title of "Restorer of the Most Holy Rosary" from the king. Brother Cristobal died serving as archbishop of Santa Fe.
José Celestino Mutis
1732 - Born on April 6 in Cadiz - Spain. Baptized on April 16. "Priest, botanist, geographer, mathematician, doctor and teacher at Universidad del Rosario, in Santa Fe, where his remains now rest".
The artist
Dionisio Renart was a sculptor of note born in Barcelona, 1878. He was known for his religious figures, monumental statuary and medal engraving. His works are displayed in various locations throughout Spain and America.
The Heritage
The university’s cultural heritage, through cultural works such as a statue, plays an important role in the recognition of the university’s history and the legacy of its forefathers.
The statue: Description
Bronze sculpture, created by the Catalan artist Dionisio Renart y García, in the foundry house of Ferrucio Cescatti, in 1909. It stands 250 cm high.
The statue: Pedestal
Made by Alejandro Manrique of stone quarried in Bogota following the plans and drawings of Dionisio Renart. It measures 300 cm high and has four bronze shields, cast by Renart y Garcia.
The journey
In August of 1909 the statue finally arrived in Bogotá. Due to the Girardot railway being out of commission because of recent damages, its journey to Bogota was in a car pulled by pairs of oxen. Scaffolding was constructed to assist with its installation and using a pulley the statue was placed on the pedestal. Then, the shields were added, the inscription engraved, and its surrounding garden planted. The inauguration took place on October 10, 1909.
The statue
The sculpture captures the founder Friar Cristobal de Torres pondering intellectual life, moral character, and his own character. The plastic language of the work manages to convey the greatness, strength, drive, dedication, generosity, consolation, protection, love and indulgence that the founder showed.
1773
March 17. Sevilla Spain. Graduates in Arts and Philosophy from the University of Seville.
1775
Sevilla Spain. Graduates in Medicine from the University of Seville.
1757
July. Graduates as Doctor of the Real Protomedicato, under the tutelage of Andres Piquer.
1760
Leaves Cadiz for the New World, accompanying the Viceroy Pedro Messia de la Cerda.
1761
February 24th. Arrives in Santa Fe.
1762
March 13. Delivers the opening speech of the Chair of Mathematics at the Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario.
1763 -1764
Gives a defense before the Holy Inquisition for the coexistence of the teaching of Copernican principles and the then modern Newtonian physics and mathematics and of "Natural Philosophy".
1766 - 1770
Stays for a period in the mines of La Montuosa, near Pamplona.
1772
December 19. Mutis obtains his priestly orders.
1777 - 1782
While in the Sapo mines, in the vicinity of Ibagué, he introduces the amalgamation method for the extraction of silver.
1783
April 1. He initiates the Royal Botanical Expedition, which was the second such company created by the Crown in America. Established officially by royal decree on November 23.
1791
The Viceroy José de Ezpeleta decides to move the headquarters of the Expedition of the Municipality of Mariquita to Santa Fe. Mutis directs the Royal Expedition for 25 years.
1801
December 14th. He is awarded honorary tuition.
1808
11 of September. Dies in Santa Fe.
THE JOURNEY
In August 1909 the statue finally arrived in Bogotá. It was transported along the Cambao highway in a cart pulled by pairs of oxen because the Girardot Railway had suffered serious damage. Scaffolding was installed and with a pulley the statue was placed on the pedestal, then the shields were applied, the inscription was engraved and the garden was planted. The inauguration took place on October 10, 1909.
THE STATUE
The sculpture captures the founder Fray Cristóbal de Torres interpreting the intellectual life and moral values of the character and his personality. The plastic language of the work manages to convey the greatness, strength, drive and dedication, generosity, consolation, protection, love and indulgence that the founder had.