Apse, Hermitage of the Virgen del Puerto, Plasencia

This watercolor depicts the site of the camarín—or devotional niche—housing the Virgin of the Port (*Virgen del Puerto*), an image of Our Lady nursing the infant Jesus. It is a beautiful statue with a gentle face, deeply venerated by the people of Plasencia.

Beneath this apse lies a sheltered spot that offers refuge from the elements; a breeze almost always blows here, protecting visitors from the summer heat and sun, and from the rain in winter. It is also a peaceful place to read or simply gaze out at the landscape of the Jerte Valley, which, viewed from this vantage point, resembles the backdrop of a theatrical stage.