Diego Siloe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Diego de Siloé
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| Born |
Diego de Siloé
c. 1495 |
| Died | 1563 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Known for | Architecture, Sculpture |
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Notable work
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Granada Cathedral Monastery of Saint Jerome (Granada) |
| Movement | Plateresque, Spanish Renaissance |
Diego de Siloé (born around 1495, died 1563) was a famous Spanish architect and sculptor. He was a key figure in the Spanish Renaissance. He created most of his amazing works in the Andalusia region of Spain. He is known for starting the "Granada school of sculpture."
Biography: Early Life and Works
Diego was probably the son of Gil de Siloé, another famous sculptor. Gil de Siloé was known for his Gothic style. Diego started his career in his hometown, Burgos, from 1519 to 1528. During this time, he mainly worked as a sculptor.
Diego de Siloé's art mixes different styles. He learned the Italian Renaissance style during a visit to Naples around 1517. He also used ideas from Spanish Gothic art and Arab architecture in Spain.
His most important work from this early period is the amazing gilded staircase in the Burgos Cathedral (built in 1519). This staircase is very grand and takes up a whole wall of the cathedral. It has sculptures of cherubs, family symbols, and plant decorations. Diego designed it to solve a problem: one of the cathedral's doors was at street level, but much higher than the cathedral floor. The staircase splits into two parts, making it easy to go up and down. It uses classic Italian design ideas, similar to the architect Donato Bramante.
Working in Granada
From 1528 until he died, Diego de Siloé worked in Granada. Here, he was mostly an architect. His arrival in Granada marked the start of the classic Renaissance style in Andalusia. He was asked to finish two big projects: the church of the Monastery of Saint Jerome and the Granada Cathedral. Both became important Renaissance buildings in Spain.
The church at the Monastery of Saint Jerome is special because of its huge dome. This dome covers the main area, much like ancient Roman burial buildings. The church's design also shows ideas from Filippo Brunelleschi. It has large pillars with Corinthian half-columns that reach the height of the naves.
One of his most famous parts of the Granada Cathedral is the Portada del Perdón (Door of Pardon), built around 1534. It looks like a grand triumphal arch. Its rich decorations and flowing lines were an early example of the Plateresque style in Spain. This style is known for its very detailed, silver-like decorations.
Other Important Works
Another notable project by Diego de Siloé is the Sacra Capilla de El Salvador del Mundo (Holy Chapel of the Savior of the World) in Úbeda. This chapel was designed as a burial place for the Cobos family. It has a central area with three sections, side chapels between buttresses, and a large circular space covered by a big dome.
Besides the Granada Cathedral, Diego de Siloé was also the main architect for several other cathedrals. These include the Almería, Málaga, and Guadix Cathedrals in Spain. He also designed cathedrals in the Americas, such as the Guadalajara Cathedral in Mexico, and the Lima and Cuzco Cathedrals in Peru.
Diego de Siloé also created a famous tomb in Spain's Basque Country. This is the mausoleum of Bishop Rodrigo Mercado de Zuazola. It is carved from white marble and features many interesting and symbolic scenes. You can find it in the chapel of the Pietà in the Church of the Archangel Michael in Oñati.
Diego de Siloé died in Granada in 1563.
See also
