While I was working on the Italian Door Knockers project, I was simultaneously painting this door from Barcelona. It obviously didn’t fit into the Italian project but I loved the various wood grains, the 3 ornaments and its story so much that I couldn’t ignore it!

I came upon the Old Santa Creu Hospital of Barcelona in the center of the city when seeking a quiet place to escape the crowds. Closed as a hospital in 1926, it now houses several organizations, but also has a beautiful porticoed courtyard and garden area. I took refuge from the heat and crowds here, and on the way out I saw this door.

I was immediately fascinated by this specific combination of objects. This part of the hospital appeared to be routinely locked, and one needed to use the ornate knocker or a large key to be let in. But what also surprised me was the iron horseshoe plaque below the other two. A horseshoe? The universal symbol meaning “Good luck”?

I later discovered it was a traditional Moorish adornment granting luck and protection from evil to its edifice, and they can be found on significant buildings all over Spain including the Alhambra. At the time I saw it, my modern brain interpreted this symbol quite cynically – as if it meant to say, “Good luck upon entering this place! Oh, and by the way, we’re going to lock you in, too!”

Regardless of all interpretations, this miniature piece was a joy to paint – lots of textures, shadows and surfaces to recreate. I almost didn’t want to part with this one either, but it has a new home where hopefully it is bringing Bona Sort (good luck in Catalan)!