Pedro de Mena facts for kids
Pedro de Mena y Medrano (born August 1628 – died 13 October 1688) was a very famous Spanish sculptor. He created beautiful wooden statues, especially during the Baroque period in Spain.
Life and Early Work
Pedro de Mena was born in Granada, a city in Andalusia, Spain. He learned his craft from his father, Alonso de Mena, who was also a sculptor. Later, he also studied with another important artist, Alonzo Cano.
Pedro de Mena's first big projects were for the convent of St. Anthony in Granada. He carved many figures for them. These included statues of St. Joseph, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Diego, St. Pedro Mentara, St. Francis, and St. Clare.
Major Projects and Travels
In 1658, Pedro de Mena began a huge project. He signed a contract to create sculptures for the choir stalls of the cathedral of Málaga. This work took him four years to complete.
He also made many other important artworks. Some of these include statues of the Madonna and Child, and St. Joseph in Madrid. He created colorful figures for the church of St. Isodoro. His sculptures of the Magdalena and Gertrudlis are in the church of St. Martin in Madrid. He also made a crucifixion scene for the Nuestra Señora de Gracia church in Madrid.
Pedro de Mena also sculpted a small statue of St Francis of Assisi for a church in Toledo. Another statue of St. Joseph can be found in the St. Nicholas church in Murcia. He traveled to Madrid in 1662 for his work.
Between 1673 and 1679, Mena worked in Córdoba. Around 1680, he was back in Granada. There, he made a seated statue of the Madonna and Child for the church of St. Dominic.
Later Life and Legacy
Pedro de Mena spent most of his life in Málaga. He had a sculpture studio there for thirty years. He continued to create amazing art until his death in 1688.
Pedro de Mena and another sculptor, José Mora, were influenced by earlier artists like Juan Martínez Montañés and Alonzo Cano. However, Mena's statues are known for their incredible skill. They also show deep religious feelings. He was especially good at creating figures that looked like they were thinking or praying.
See also
- In Spanish: Pedro de Mena para niños
