


SANTA FORTUNATA
Many stories surround Masia ‘Maria’ Pegna. Some of them sordid, full of tragedy, looting, burning of books & religious altarpieces.
A consequence of being located in the middle of the scene of the battle of the Ebro, the bloodiest war that ever took place in Spain, not even that long ago (1938).
Marquis de Segarra, once he settled in Santa Maria de Pegna, had a chapel built in honour of Santa Fortunata, a lady strangled at the age of 18.
From Rome, her remains were brought to our Masia in a glass urn, symbolising virginity. During the Civil War, years later, her relics (together with altarpieces and other religious interpretations) were burned by anarchists. A story never fully documented nor verified, however a blackened chapel is a strong enough reminder to take this story into account seriously.
In 2020, a mysterious image was found and saved during renovation of the farmhouse.
Mounted on what appeared to be the bedframe of the Marquis de Segarra a mesmerising image revealed a young, unknown woman against a backdrop of an eternal spring. An anonymous face of hope, seemingly disconnected from an atmosphere back then charged with drama and pain.
An exceptional, original work, without any doubt professionally painted on behalf of a noble person with resources to fund it.
Showcasing the typical style from that period, between Impressionism and Modernism, chances are high some truly renowned painter was at work. Important painters from Barcelona emerged in that period… Could therefore this work be associated to the art of Ramon Casas I Carbó or Santiago Rusiñol?






So… who is she?
Perhaps the woman represents the wife of the Marquis de Segarra, the young Consolació Domenech Pujol. Due to her facial features and hair, a possibility. Or was this portrait a gift from some nobleman? Perhaps a wedding gift from the Marquis himself to his beloved?
Conspiracy is served, which inspired us to a poem which can be found on each bottle:
not a spring sunrise
set her chapel to flames, a battle yes.
can ashes turn into
a painting without a frame,
her silhouette an illumination reset?
Marquess de Segarra
Guerra Carlista – Miravet Catalonia.
A decade later, pollinators
on an image
hidden, lost then found.
Who is she,
She who is uncrowned?
Who rose from battleground.
Ekphrasis by Dimitri Van Zeebroeck
