Jose benito churriguera biography definition

His artistic expression fused, with elaborate theatricality, the influences of Spain's late Renaissance style and that of the Roman baroque. His obituary hailed him as "the Spanish Michelangelo," and his death occurred just in time for him to escape knowing the hysterically adverse criticism hurled at his works by the neoclassicists, who coined the term "Churrigueresque" to signify an accursed style of excess and extravagance.

Ironically, these academicians sometimes praised works by him, believing them to have had other authors.

José Benito became.

In Teodoro Ardemans was named chief architect by King Philip V, and shortly thereafter Churriguera was accused of insubordination and presumption. The loss of royal patronage was balanced by the acquisition of a private patron, the banker Juan de Goyeneche. In addition, Churriguera had become the architect of Salamanca Cathedral in Although he worked almost exclusively in Madrid during the last 26 years of his life, his Salamanca appointment proved an "open sesame" to important commissions for his brothers and at least one of his sons.

His most famous altarpiece is that in the church of S. Esteban, Salamanca It is an architectural frame for sculptures, carved and gilded, with projections and recessions in monumental proportions and featuring Solomonic twisted columns. Despite the lavish ornament, the altarpiece has an impressive dignity achieved by rhythmic unity and harmonious proportions.

It was commissioned by Goyeneche to include a glass factory, workers' dwellings, a church, and a palace in a complex with three plazas. Its architectural austerity is reminiscent of the work of Juan de Herrera, and its asymmetry is unique as well as visually effective. Further Reading. Bernard Bevan, History of Spanish Architecture , also contains information on him.

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