Juan Rizi facts for kids

Friar Juan Andrés Ricci de Guevara, known as Friar Juan Rizi (born 1600 in Madrid, died November 29, 1681, in Monte Cassino), was a Spanish Benedictine monk. He was also a talented painter and architect who worked in the Baroque style. Besides his art, he wrote books about religion (theology) and shapes (geometry). He was even considered to become a bishop!

Life and Works

Juan Rizi was the son of Antonio Ricci, an Italian painter who came to Spain to help decorate the famous El Escorial palace. Juan's brother, Francisco Rizi, was also a painter. Juan likely started learning art from his father. He also spent time learning in the workshops of another artist, Juan Bautista Maíno.

In 1627, Juan Rizi joined the Benedictine Order, a group of monks, and lived at the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. He also studied law at the University of Salamanca. However, he was asked to leave the Abbey in 1640. This happened because he strongly supported Castilian nationalism, which meant he wanted Castile (a region in Spain) to be more independent, especially during a conflict called the Reapers' War.

Later, he worked as a drawing teacher for Prince Balthasar Charles. But he was removed from this job too. This was because he disagreed with King Philip IV about who should be the new leader (Abbott) of a monastery.

After leaving the royal court, Juan Rizi mostly worked for the different monasteries where he lived. These included Irache, Santo Domingo de Silos, and San Millán de la Cogolla. Sadly, many of the paintings he created at Montserrat were destroyed in a fire during the Peninsular War. In 1662, he moved to Rome, Italy. In 1670, he settled in Monte Cassino, where he passed away.

See also

In Spanish: Juan Andrés Ricci para niños