Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras facts for kids
Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras (born October 13, 1759, in Celaya, Guanajuato – died August 3, 1833, in Celaya) was a very famous Mexican architect and painter. He lived and worked during a time when Mexico was still a colony of Spain (the colonial period) and also during the early years when Mexico became an independent country.
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Life and Early Works
Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras first thought he wanted to be a priest. He even joined a monastery in Mexico City. But he soon changed his mind. He went back to his hometown of Celaya and got married.
He started his career as an artist. He was good at painting, sculpting, and engraving. Soon, he also wanted to work as an architect. He asked for permission to design buildings.
His first big architectural projects were in Querétaro. These included the Fountain of Neptune, built in 1797. He also designed an arch to celebrate Charles IV of Spain becoming king.
Masterpiece: El Carmen Church
From 1802 to 1807, Tresguerras worked on rebuilding the church of El Carmen in Celaya. This church is seen as his most important work. He designed it in the Neoclassical style. This style used ideas from ancient Greek and Roman art.
The church has three main fronts, called façades, in the Neoclassical style. A tall tower rises above them, shaped like a bell. This bell-shaped tower was very new and unusual in Mexico at that time. The church also has a beautiful tiled dome over the center. Tresguerras even made some of the sculptures inside this church himself.
Other Important Buildings
In Celaya, Tresguerras designed a special chapel for himself in the church of San Francisco. He also built a bridge over the River La Laja.
He designed the palace of the Count of Casa Rul in Guanajuato City. Tresguerras traveled a lot in central Mexico for his work. He is also known for designing buildings in other cities. These include San Luis Potosí, San Miguel el Grande, Salvatierra, Salamanca, Irapuato, and some towns in Jalisco.
Paintings and Writings
Besides his architecture, Tresguerras was also a talented painter. Some of his famous paintings include a portrait of his wife from 1787. He also painted a self-portrait of himself in 1794.
He created two large paintings, called frescos, in the church of El Carmen in San Luis Potosí. Another important painting is El Juicio Final (The Last Judgment). You can see this painting in the chapel of Los Cofrades in the church of El Carmen in Celaya.
Tresguerras also wrote books. He wrote about religious topics and funny poems. A notebook with his critical notes was published in 1962. It was called Ocios literarios. His friends wrote a short story about his life. It was published in 1951.
Support for Independence
In 1811, Tresguerras was arrested. This happened because he supported the movement for Mexico's independence from Spain. He believed Mexico should be a free country.
Works in Museums
Several of his artworks are kept in the Museo Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Mexico City. These include:
- La Virgen del Carmen (The Virgin of Carmen)
- Santa Rosa de Viterbo
- Educación de la Virgen (Education of the Virgin)
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras para niños
