Sebastián Ducete facts for kids

Sebastián Ducete (thought to be by him): Christ on the Cross, early 1600s. This is a colorful wooden sculpture in the Museu Frederic Marès, Barcelona.

Sebastián Ducete: Christ at the Column, early 1600s. You can see this sculpture in the church of San Gil Abad, Burgos.

Sebastián Ducete (sometimes spelled de Ucete) was an important Spanish sculptor. He was born in 1568 in a town called Toro, Zamora. He learned how to sculpt in his father Pedro Ducete Díez's workshop.

In 1591, Sebastián continued his training with another sculptor named Juan Sanz de Torrecilla from Palencia. From 1595 to 1598, he worked alongside his uncle, Juan Ducete the Younger.

Working with Esteban de Rueda

In 1598, a young artist named Esteban de Rueda [es] joined Ducete's workshop as an apprentice. An apprentice is someone who learns a skill from a master. Esteban de Rueda later became Ducete's partner in 1612, and they worked together until Ducete passed away. Their shared workshop was known as the "Toro workshop." In 1611, Ducete also spent some time in Valladolid.

Ducete's Artistic Style

It can be tricky to tell the difference between the works of Ducete and Rueda. Both artists were inspired by famous sculptors like Juan de Juni and Gregorio Fernández. However, Juan de Juni had a stronger influence on Ducete.

Ducete's sculptures are known for being very expressive and full of movement. His style was dramatic and dynamic.

Important Sculptures and Projects

One of the most important projects from the Toro workshop was the main altarpiece (a large decorated screen behind an altar) in the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel in Peñaranda de Bracamonte, Salamanca. Ducete and Rueda signed the agreement for this work on June 11, 1618.

Sadly, a fire in the church in 1971 destroyed most of this altarpiece. Only two figures from it survived. Sebastián Ducete died in Toro sometime between 1619 and 1621.

Known Works by Sebastián Ducete

Here are some of the works Sebastián Ducete created or helped create:

• A sculpture of the Crucifixion and a statue of the Virgin Mary (1592) for the San Martín church in Pinilla de Toro.
• An altarpiece (1602) for the San Sepulcro, Toro [de; es] church.
• Sculptures for the altarpiece in the church of the Monasterio de Santa Sofía, Toro [es].
• An altarpiece with a beautiful carving showing Saint Ildefonsus receiving a special robe (1607). This is in the San Pedro church in Villalpando. This work shows the influence of Juan de Juni. Esteban de Rueda worked on the clothing of the figures, which shows the style of Gregorio Fernández.
• A processional figure of Christ with arms that could move (1615). This sculpture was made for a religious group called a Cofradía del Santo Entierro [es], but its current location is unknown.
• A carving called Virgin and Child with Saint Anne. This was part of an altarpiece possibly made for a monastery in Medina del Campo, now in the Santuario Nacional de la Gran Promesa [es] in Valladolid. Ducete's style in this work was influenced by Juan de Juni.

Images for kids

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  The main altarpiece in the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel, Peñaranda de Bracamonte, before it was damaged.

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  Sculptures from the altarpiece in the church of the Monasterio de Santa Sofía, Toro.

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  The carving Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, found in the Santuario Nacional de la Gran Promesa, Valladolid.

See also

In Spanish: Sebastián Ducete para niños