Bernardo de Legarda facts for kids

Bernardo de Legarda (born around 1700 – died June 1, 1773) was a very important artist. He was part of the famous Quito School art movement.

About Bernardo de Legarda

Legarda was a talented artist, especially known for his sculptures. He was one of the best sculptors in the city of Quito during his time. His first known artwork was in 1731. He fixed a statue of Saint Luke in the Church of Santo Domingo. After this, many people wanted him to create art for them.

In 1732, he was asked to make a sculpture of the Immaculate Conception for the Church of San Francisco. This amazing work became known as the Virgin of Quito (finished in 1734). People loved it so much that many copies were made. These copies spread all over the Royal Audiencia of Quito. This area included what is now Ecuador, southern Colombia, and northern Peru.

Legarda also worked on large, decorated altars called altarpieces. These altarpieces showed off the fancy baroque art style. One important altarpiece was the Mercy altarpiece (1748–51). His student, Gregorio, helped him finish it. Another altarpiece, the Moderno del Carmen, is also thought to be by his student, Jacinto Lopez.

Famous Artworks

Bernardo de Legarda created many beautiful pieces of art. He is most famous for his sculptures, especially those of the Virgin Mary.

House altar with the Virgin of Quito. This small altar is made of wood and painted. It shows the style of the 18th to 20th centuries.

The Virgin of Quito, also known as the Virgin of El Panecillo. This huge monument is on top of El Panecillo hill. It was made in the 1970s by Agustín de la Herrán Matorras. It was inspired by Legarda's original wooden statues.

Some of his well-known works include:

• The Immaculate Conception of the Apocalypse (also called the "Virgin of Quito"). This famous sculpture is from 1734. You can find it on the altar of the Church of San Francisco in Quito.
• The Inmaculada Concepción de Popayán (Our Lady of the Assumption of Popayán). This is in the Cathedral of our Lady of the Assumption in Popayán, Colombia.
• He decorated the back of the Tabernacle at La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús in Quito.
• He also decorated the half-dome ceiling of La Iglesia de El Sagrario in Quito.
• Legarda worked on the main altar, called a reredos, at the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced. He also worked on the area under the choir at La Iglesia de Santo Domingo in Quito.

Legarda made many versions of the Immaculate Conceptions (his "Virgins of Quito") and Assumptions. These statues came in different sizes: large, medium, and small. Many of them are in Franciscan churches in Quito. These include San Francisco, Guápulo, Santa Clara, and la Concepción.

Besides being a sculptor, Legarda was also a skilled jeweler. He created many small figures for Nativity scenes, which show the birth of Jesus.

See also

In Spanish: Bernardo de Legarda para niños