“LA FIDELIDAD, EL AMOR Y EL GOZO” THE PLEDGE CEREMONY OF THE KING FERDINAND VII (CARTAGO, 1809)

Abstract

During the colonial period, the royal celebrations made the Hispanic American cities the public scenario to represent the fascinating spectacle of the imaginary monarch. All the colonies of the Spanish Empire proclaimed a monarch who was physically absent but was symbolically materialized through discursive representations and iconographies. This article describes and analyzes the most interesting aspects of the proclamation or pledge ceremony of the King Ferdinand VII, which took place in the city of Cartago, between January 15th and January 23rd, 1809.