Master of Ávila facts for kids
The Master of Ávila was a painter who worked in the middle of the 15th century. He painted in the Flemish style, similar to another artist named Fernando Gallego. The Master of Ávila was active in and around the city of Ávila in Spain.
Art experts, like Elías Tormo, believe that the Master of Ávila might have been a painter named García del Barco. We know that García del Barco was in Ávila between 1465 and 1473. However, no paintings have been officially proven to be by García del Barco for sure.
Contents
Who Was the Master of Ávila?
The name "Master of Ávila" is used because we don't know the painter's real name. It's common in art history to give a name like "Master of..." to artists whose true identity is a mystery. This painter's style is very unique, so experts can recognize his work even without knowing his name.
What Kind of Art Did He Create?
The Master of Ávila's artistic style is mainly recognized from a special three-part painting called a triptych. This triptych shows the Nativity, which is the birth of Jesus. It was originally at the Convent of the Conception and is now kept at the Lázaro Galdiano Museum.
His paintings look similar to some panels from an altarpiece (a work of art behind an altar) found in the Iglesia Mayor de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora in El Barco de Ávila. Some experts also think that the Master of Ávila might have taught another artist known as the Master of La Sisla.
Other artworks believed to be by the Master of Ávila include:
- A painting called Abrazo ante la Puerta Dorada (Embrace Before the Golden Gate) at the Church of San Vicente de Ávila.
- A triptych showing Saint Dominic and Saint Thomas at the Museum of Vitoria.
- Altarpieces at the Churches of Saint Martin in Bonilla de la Sierra and Saint Peter at the Cathedral of Ávila.
- More recently, a painting called "Calvary" at the Museo del Prado was thought to be by Fernando Gallego, but now experts believe it was painted by the Master of Ávila.
García del Barco's Life and Career
If García del Barco was indeed the Master of Ávila, here's what we know about him:
- He was active as a painter in Ávila during the 1460s.
- In 1473, he was known as a "famous painter." At that time, Fernando Gallego hired him to work on an altarpiece for Coria Cathedral. García del Barco was also chosen to help settle any disagreements that might come up.
- Another person who was considered as a possible "Master of Ávila" was Father Pedro de Salamanca. He was also an arbitrator in the same agreement.
- In 1476, García del Barco and another painter named Juan Rodríguez were hired to paint the doors and ceilings of the Castillo de El Barco de Ávila. They used Moorish designs, which were popular at the time. This work was recorded by Juan Agustín Ceán Bermúdez in his book about famous Spanish artists.
- After 1492, García del Barco moved to Granada. He passed away there sometime after 1498.
See also
In Spanish: Maestro de Ávila para niños
