The sacred comes to life: Spanish art at the National Gallery

Mary Magdalen Meditating on the Crucifixion (detail), 1664, by Pedro de Mena (1628–1688) Photograph: Photo Imagen M.A.S. Courtesy of Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

Pedro de Mena's Mary Magdalen Photograph: Photo Imagen M.A.S. Courtesy of Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

The Immaculate Conception, 1618–1619, by Diego Velázquez Photograph: The National Gallery, London. Bought with the aid of The Art Fund, 1974

Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, about 1620, by Juan Martínez Montañés Photograph: Photo Imagen M.A.S. Courtesy of Universidad de Sevilla

Virgin of the Misericordia, 1634, by Francisco de Zurbarán Photograph: Photo Imagen M.A.S. Courtesy of Museo de Bellas Artes, Seville

Christ after the Flagellation Contemplated by the Christian Soul, probably 1628–1629, by Diego Velázquez (1599–1660) Photograph: The National Gallery, London

Christ as the Man of Sorrows, 1673, by Pedro de Mena Photograph: Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid

The Crucifixion, 1627, by Francisco de Zurbarán Photograph: The Art Institute of Chicago. Robert A. Waller Memorial Fund (1954.15)

A detail of Dead Christ, 1625–30, by Gregorio Fernández (about 1576–1636) Photograph: Photo Imagen M.A.S. Courtesy of Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

Fernández's Dead Christ, viewed from the side Photograph: Photo Imagen M.A.S. Courtesy of Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

Ecce Homo, 1617, by Fernández Photograph: Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España

Portrait of Juan Martínez Montañés, 1635, by Diego Velázquez (1599–1660) Photograph: Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

Saint Bruno, 1634, by Juan Martínez Montañés (1568-1649) Photograph: Photo Imagen M.A.S. Courtesy of Museo de Bellas Artes, Seville

Saint Francis Borgia, 1624, by Juan Martínez Montañés Photograph: Photo Imagen M.A.S. Courtesy of Universidad de Seville

Saint Francis in Meditation, 1635–1639, by Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664) Photograph: The National Gallery, London

Saint Francis Standing in Meditation, about 1663, by Pedro de Mena Photograph: Fototeca de Obras Restauradas. Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España / Ministerio de Cultura