Hernando de Ávila facts for kids

Hernando de Ávila (born around 1538 – died 1595) was a talented Spanish painter and sculptor. He worked for King Philip II of Spain during the mid-1500s. Hernando de Ávila learned his skills from another artist named Francisco Comontes.

One of his important early works was in 1568. He created a large painting for an altarpiece (a decorated screen behind an altar) in the Toledo Cathedral. This artwork included scenes like 'St. John the Baptist' and the 'Adoration of the Kings.'

Working for King Philip II

King Philip II of Spain asked Hernando de Ávila to create many pictures for a special book called Libro de Retratos de Reyes... (Book of Portraits of Kings...). This book showed portraits of the kings from Oviedo, Leon, and Castile. It also included their family shields and royal flags.

This book was probably one of Hernando de Ávila's last projects. It is now kept safe in the Prado Museum in Madrid. The book has 77 pages made of special paper, filled with colorful pictures of kings, coats of arms, and even a family tree.

Hernando de Ávila passed away in Madrid in March 1595. He was buried in the San Sebastián parish. About a year after his death, his wife received 500 ducats (an old type of money) for this "illuminated" (decorated with colors) book. He also made another book with drawings on the same topic, but that one is now lost.

See also

In Spanish: Hernando de Ávila para niños

Images for kids

• 

  Alfonso II of Asturias, painting from 1594.