Jordi de Déu facts for kids
Jordi de Déu (also known as Jordi Johan) was an important sculptor from the Gothic period. He was born in Messina, a city with Greek roots, and later became a famous artist in Catalonia, a region in Spain. He passed away around the year 1418.
Contents
Becoming a Sculptor
Jordi de Déu started his career in Barcelona. He began working for a well-known sculptor named Jaume Cascalls, who became his teacher. Cascalls taught him everything about sculpture.
We first hear about Jordi working with his master in 1363. They were creating beautiful tombs for kings and queens at the Poblet Monastery.
Working on Cathedrals
Jordi also helped create statues for other important buildings. Between 1370 and 1377, he worked on the Cathedral of Tarragona. Here, he helped make statues of apostles for the main entrance of the church.
Leading Big Projects
After his teacher Jaume Cascalls passed away, Jordi de Déu took over his work. In 1381, King Peter IV of Aragon put Jordi in charge of finishing the royal tombs at Poblet Monastery.
Creating Altarpieces
Jordi de Déu also made special artworks called retables (altarpieces). These are large, decorated screens placed behind the altar in churches.
- In 1385, he made an altarpiece for a church in Vallfogona de Riucorb.
- The next year, he created a beautiful altarpiece made of alabaster for the church of Santa Coloma de Queralt. This one honored Saint Lawrence.
Works in Barcelona
In Barcelona, the bishop Ramon d'Escales asked Jordi to create sculptures for the choir of the Barcelona Cathedral. Jordi also completed other artworks in the same church. Later, he was asked to make fifty decorated stone carvings (called capitals) for the Monastery of Santa María de Ripoll.
Jordi de Déu also helped with the Gothic style decorations at Barcelona's Town Hall.
His Family of Artists
Jordi de Déu's artistic talent continued through his family. His two sons, Antonio and Pere Johan, also became sculptors.
Sources
See also
In Spanish: Jordi de Déu para niños
