The tomb of the Bishop of Tuy, Diego de Avellaneda, features one of the most outstanding examples of 16th century Spanish funerary sculpture of its kind.
It comes from the monastery of San Juan Bautista and Santa Catalina de Espeja (Soria). It is a sculptural work of the highest quality in every last ornamental detail. It was commissioned from Felipe Vigarny, who used alabaster and jasper as his materials. The piece is centred around a large niche under an arch, with the figure of the bishop at prayer accompanied by an attendant and the two patron saints of the monastery, Saint John and Saint Catherine. The arch is framed by columns and rests on a raised pedestal featuring funerary symbols and allegories of the virtues of the deceased. At the top there are two cherubims holding a scroll, angels with the heraldic crest of the bishop and the figure of the Virgin with the Child.
Details of the work
Object
Tomb
Dimensions
Height = 786 cm; Width = 385 cm; Depth = 174 cm
Technique
Carved
Material
Alabaster, jasper, limestone