Alonso cano biography definition

 

Madrid and Court Painter

Known for a volatile temper, Cano was forced to flee Seville for Madrid after a duel with the painter Sebastian de Llanos Valdes (). It was believed that Cano had already risked his life by smashing a statue of a saint, when the buyer questioned his price - it could have been viewed as an act of heresy, punishable by death.

In Madrid, King Philip IV appointed Cano to be Royal Architect and King's Painter.

He was tasked to restore pictures in the British royal art collection, and thus came into contact with masters of the 16th century Renaissance in Venice.

Alonso cano biography definition us history View all related items in Oxford Reference ». Born in Granada in , Cano was taught the fundamentals of architecture from an early age by his father, Miguel Cano, an architect. It was believed that Cano had already risked his life by smashing a statue of a saint, when the buyer questioned his price - it could have been viewed as an act of heresy, punishable by death. The First Labours of Adam and Eve c.

This influence can be seen in Cano's subsequent paintings, which are softer than his earlier pictures and are strongly lit from a light source, in the manner of Zurbaran. One of Cano's most important paintings from this period includes The Miracle at the Well (, Prado Museum, Madrid), which had been hailed by his contemporaries as a masterpiece, but had remained damaged and forgotten until it was submitted to the Prado in From onwards, Cano's style became more pictorial, almost Baroque in style.

This can best be seen with Descent into Limbo (, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles) which is highly illustrative, the viewer finds themselves in the middle of a story. Other paintings include Mary (, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest); Noli me Tangere (c, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest); and St John the Evangelist on Pathmos (, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest).

Note About Art Evaluation
In order to appreciate important 3-D artists like the Spanish Baroque sculptor Alonso Cano, see: How to Appreciate Sculpture.

For later works, please see: How to Appreciate Modern Sculpture.

Granada Cathedral

In Cano was yet again to flee for his life on being accused of the murder of his wife.

Alonso cano biography definition Personal Profile. Don't have an account? Marble Sculpture Pentelic, Carrara, Parian marbles. Despite conflicts with the local clergy, Cano was appointed as the head artist of the cathedral.

He initially escaped to Valencia, but was returned to favour in and was granted the position of Canon at Granada Cathedra. In order to secure his position Cano took holy orders and was appointed chief architect of the cathedral, a position he held until his death. Cano was to design many of the features and decorations of western facade of the cathedral - upon which rests his reputation as one of Spain's greatest architects of the day - but the facade was only erected after his death by his successor Jose de Granados.

The cathedral houses many of Cano's works of Christian art, including a polychrome wooden statue of The Immaculate Conception () which is sometimes considered his masterpiece. His works from Granada are harmonious and serene.

Biography definition and examples However, instead of taking the vows, he returned to his hometown of Granada in , with the support of the King, to decorate the Main Chapel of the cathedral. National Trust, Penrhyn Castle. At the age of 13 Alonzo moved to Seville to study painting and sculpture. The sophisticated style suggests that Cano may have spent time in Italy, although there is no evidence that he left Seville before

Another example is Eve (, Granada Cathedral) - a large wooden bust which is highly effeminate and elegant. Cano's Eve sparkles with coquettish charm and intelligence. He never managed to complete the accompanying wooden bust of Adam, this was completed later by Juan Velez de Ulloa.

Other Works

Other paintings by Cano in collections in museums around the world include: The Vision of Saint John (, Wallace Collection, London); The Annunciation (c, Museo del Prado); Dead Christ Supported by an Angel (, Prado); Immaculate Conception (, Provincial Museum, Vitoria); and The Vision of St Bernard (c, Prado).

Cano died in in Granada.

Unfortunately time has not been kind to many of his paintings and sculptures, several of his best have been destroyed in revolutions and wars.