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The chapter room is located in the eastern corridor. It is 22.5 meters long, 7 m. wide and 6 m. high, which makes it the largest room in the convent. It has a decorative floor made of woven brick, elaborated in Quito. The purpose of the construction was to house the Augustine community.
The chairs around the room were made of natural cedar to seat approximately 150 people. |
The furniture presents a Baroque style with leaves, flowers and fruits mixed with sea shells designs, displaying Santiago de Compostela`s image.
Prior to the inauguration in 1586, the room was used as the Aula Magna of the University of Saint Fulgencio for Theology and Philosophy classes.
The room also had an art wing. After its inauguration in 1741, the chapter was used to hold very important meetings of the Augustine order, in which one of its members was elected.
The room was only open during elections, which took place every three to four years.
On August 16 1809, visitors were allowed to enter the convent in order to sign the acts of independence, for which an act with the names of everybody present was signed.
Evidence of this is the parchment and natural paintings with handwriting in a Gothic style.
One of the most relevant attendants to these meetings was Juan Pio Montufar or Marques de Selva Alegre, as well as his ministers or secretaries and the representatives of the Quiteño neighborhoods of “San Roque”, “Santa Barbara” and “La Cathedral”. |
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The religious decoration found in the main altarpiece is known as Calvary. It is made of cedar and covered with gold leaf, with a Quiteño Baroque style (abundant use of acanthus leaves, flowers and fruits).
It is composed of three sculptures, attributed to Jose Olmos “Pampite” who worked the sculptures in wood and with a unique delicacy, especially in the faces.
Saint John Evangelist, The Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ with a particular skin color are his main sculptures.
The ceiling in the room is covered in a Mudejar style, with hanging pine fruits, floral decorations and 48 anonymous 18th century canvases, preserving the characteristic dark coloration of the Quito School. These canvases represent saint and martyrs from the Augustine Order, presenting men and women separately. |
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Convento de San Agustín.