Alonso Cano (1601 - 1667) - photo 1

Alonso Cano

Alonso Cano was a multifaceted Spanish artist, renowned for his remarkable contributions in painting, sculpture, and architecture. Born in Granada in 1601, Cano is often celebrated as the "Spanish Michelangelo", a testament to his diverse artistic talents and significant impact on the Baroque era. His career, marked by a blend of Italian Mannerism and Baroque style, was a journey through various Spanish cities, each phase contributing uniquely to his artistic evolution.

In Seville, Cano trained under Francisco Pacheco, where his initial works like "San Francisco de Borja" (Seville Museum of Fine Arts) displayed a blend of Tenebrism and a brighter, more lyrical color palette. This period also saw the birth of works like "La Visión de San Juan" (Wallace Collection, London), signaling a transition in his style. Madrid, however, marked a significant turn in Cano's career. His works for the Buen Retiro Palace and the Alcázar showcase an evolution towards elegant, dynamic Baroque forms with lighter tonalities, influenced by the 16th-century Venetian masters.

Cano's return to Granada in 1652 was a homecoming that not only reinvigorated the Granada School but also marked his most prolific period. His masterpieces during this time include the series of paintings on the life of the Virgin in Granada Cathedral, a remarkable testament to Baroque art. Notably, his "Inmaculada Concepción" (1648) and "Nacimiento de la Virgen" (1663-1664) in the Cathedral stand as crowning achievements of his painterly career.

Equally impressive is Cano's sculptural work, where his polychrome wooden statue of the Immaculate Conception (1655) in Granada Cathedral is often hailed as his magnum opus. Despite sculpture being a secondary focus to his painting, his works, such as the Inmaculada in San Julián Church, Sevilla, and the smaller, yet exquisitely crafted, Inmaculada of the facistol in Granada Cathedral, resonate with the delicate beauty pointing towards Rococo art.

Cano's architectural prowess is exemplified in the design of Granada Cathedral's façade, an original piece of Spanish Baroque architecture. His artistic journey was not just a personal endeavor but a pivotal influence in the transition of Spanish painting towards a more idealist trend alongside Velázquez.

For art collectors and experts, Alonso Cano's works remain a cornerstone of the Baroque era, showcasing a blend of dramatic realism and spiritual depth. His influence extends beyond the boundaries of Granada, leaving an indelible mark on the world of art and culture.

To stay informed about new discoveries, product sales, and auction events related to Alonso Cano's works, sign up for our updates. This subscription focuses solely on providing relevant news in the art and antiques realm, especially concerning Cano's invaluable contributions.

Date and place of birt:19 march 1601, Granada, Spain
Date and place of death:3 september 1667, Granada, Spain
Nationality:Spain
Period of activity: XVII century
Specialization:Architect, Designer, Draftsman, Engraver, Painter, Sculptor
Art school / group:Granada School
Art style:Baroque, Mannerism

Creators Spain

Jose Antolines (1635 - 1676)
Jose Antolines
1635 - 1676
Cristina Iglesias (1956)
Cristina Iglesias
1956
Bernardo German de Llorente (1685 - 1757)
Bernardo German de Llorente
1685 - 1757
Gregorio Fernández (1576 - 1636)
Gregorio Fernández
1576 - 1636
Rinaldo Paluzzi (1927 - 2013)
Rinaldo Paluzzi
1927 - 2013
Juan Bautista Martinez del Maso (1612 - 1667)
Juan Bautista Martinez del Maso
1612 - 1667
Luis Melendez (1716 - 1780)
Luis Melendez
1716 - 1780
Manuel Barron and Carrillo (1814 - 1884)
Manuel Barron and Carrillo
1814 - 1884
Louis de Morales (1509 - 1586)
Louis de Morales
1509 - 1586
Anton Lamazares (1954)
Anton Lamazares
1954
Raimundo Madraso (1841 - 1920)
Raimundo Madraso
1841 - 1920
Francisco Bayeu y Subias (1734 - 1795)
Francisco Bayeu y Subias
1734 - 1795
Ramon Pishot-i-Zhirones (1871 - 1925)
Ramon Pishot-i-Zhirones
1871 - 1925
Amador Magraner (1957)
Amador Magraner
1957
Manuel Muñoz y Otero (1850)
Manuel Muñoz y Otero
1850
Josep Maria Subirachs Sitjar (1927 - 2014)
Josep Maria Subirachs Sitjar
1927 - 2014

Creators Baroque

Jan Erasmus Quellinus (1634 - 1715)
Jan Erasmus Quellinus
1634 - 1715
Camillo Procaccini (1551 - 1629)
Camillo Procaccini
1551 - 1629
Miguel Mateo Maldonado y Cabrera (1695 - 1768)
Miguel Mateo Maldonado y Cabrera
1695 - 1768
Michele Tosini (1503 - 1577)
Michele Tosini
1503 - 1577
Antoine Ranc (1634 - 1716)
Antoine Ranc
1634 - 1716
Johannes van der Bent (1650 - 1690)
Johannes van der Bent
1650 - 1690
Gregorio Lazzarini (1657 - 1730)
Gregorio Lazzarini
1657 - 1730
Michael Kirkham (1971)
Michael Kirkham
1971
Nicolas de Nicolay (1517 - 1583)
Nicolas de Nicolay
1517 - 1583
Francesco Furini (1600 - 1646)
Francesco Furini
1600 - 1646
Simondio Salimbeni (1597 - 1643)
Simondio Salimbeni
1597 - 1643
Bartolomeo Guidobono (1654 - 1709)
Bartolomeo Guidobono
1654 - 1709
Francesco Cavazzoni (1559 - 1612)
Francesco Cavazzoni
1559 - 1612
Étienne Maurice Falconet (1716 - 1791)
Étienne Maurice Falconet
1716 - 1791
Francesco Primaticcio (1503 - 1570)
Francesco Primaticcio
1503 - 1570
Joachim Anthonisz. Wtewael (1566 - 1638)
Joachim Anthonisz. Wtewael
1566 - 1638