Spain
died September 3, 1667, Granada
painter, sculptor, and architect, often called the Spanish Michelangelo for his
diversity of talents. Although he led a remarkably tempestuous life, he produced
religious works of elegance and ease.
Moving to Sevilla (Seville) in 1614, he studied sculpture under Juan Martínez
Montañés and painting under Francisco Pacheco. Forced to leave Sevilla in 1637
because of a duel with the painter Llano y Valdés, he fled to Madrid and
obtained the favour of the court. His activities as court painter ended in 1644,
when, suspected ofthe murder of his wife, he had to escape to Valencia. He then
returned to King Philip IV and successfully solicited a position as canon in the
cathedral in Granada in 1652, but he was expelled for misbehaviour in 1656.
Returning to Madrid, he took holy orders and was appointed chief architect of
the Granada cathedral, a position he held until his death.
Cano painted extensively in Sevilla, Madrid, and Granada. The Sevilla paintings,
among them Via Crucis and St. Francis Borgia, are influenced by Zurbarán,
monumental and bold, with strong tenebroso (emphasis on darkness). The Madrid
paintings, including St. Isidore's Miracle of the Well (1645–46), are more
impressionistic, foreshadowing the workof Velázquez. Finally, the last
paintings, from his stay in Granada, especially the Mysteries of the Virgin in
the Cathedral, are harmonious, with a classic balance and symmetry.
No sculpture from his Seville period has survived, but many of his polychromed
wood statues exist from his time in Granada. His finest work of sculpture, San
Diego de Alcala (1653–57), is characteristic in its simplicity of design and its
expressive eloquence.
Cano is most famous for his paintings and sculpture, but his facade for the
cathedral at Granada is considered one of the most original works of Spanish
architecture, bearing Cano's unique personal stamp and executed with remarkable
expressive unity.
