Montañés, Juan Martínez

Montañés, Juan (de) Martínez

(born March 16, 1568, Alcalá la Real, Jaén, Spain—died June 18, 1649, Sevilla) Spanish sculptor. After studying in Granada, he established his studio in Sevilla (Seville) and was instrumental in the transition from Mannerism to the Baroque. He became known as el dios de la madera (“the god of wood”) because of his great skill at wood carving. His output and influence over 50 years were enormous. Montañés is remembered for his wood altars and altar figures covered with polished gold and coloured paint, which are realistic yet idealized. His work influenced not only the sculptors and altar makers of Spain and Latin America but also the Spanish painters of his century.