Gil de Siloé

Gil de Siloé ( † around 1501) was a Spanish sculptor of the late Gothic and reportedly the father of Diego de Siloé. He appeared in 1500 in Burgos.

Life and work

Gil de Siloés of birth can not be demonstrated, there are few records of his life. However, he is also known as Gil de Urliones and Gil de Urlienes what its origin from Orléans, and Gil de Emberres and Gil de Antwerp known, which would suggest an origin from Antwerp. His iconography refers to a French origin, during the execution of his sculptures has Flemish or Lower Rhine influences. Siloé deemed to be "[...] an outstanding exponent of the late Gothic sculpture in Burgos [ ... ] ". His imaginative, naturalistic sculptures are characterized by a wealth of thoughtful details and rich ornamentation.

The focus of his work was the design of churches in the city and the province of Burgos. He was involved in the expansion of the Cathedral of Burgos, where he designed among others for the grave chapel reliefs, sculptures and coats of arms. Another write-up from the cathedral and important work of late Gothic carving is the resulting 1486-1488 Altar of the Immaculate Conception in the Capilla de la Concepción y de Santa Ana ( St. Anne's Chapel ). For the Cartuja de Miraflores Charterhouse he created, together with Diego de la Cruz, 1496-1499 a Hochaltarretabel, equipped precious with the first of the "New World " incoming gold. He led the choir from 1493 also the perfect alabaster tomb (double tombstone ) of John II of Castile and Isabella of Portugal, which is considered one of the richest in Spain ..

Even the tomb of the Infante Alfonso died in 1470 on the north wall of the choir comes from de Siloé. Probably goes back to him also a building under Parish Museum of Covarrubias Triptych of the Three Kings. Other works of the artist are in the Parish Museum of Paredes de Neva. " Separating yourself from the traditional structures of the older Castilian altarpiece, designed by Gil de Siloe singular works that their action did not fail in terms of their composition in direct surroundings. They rang the era of overwhelming, carved Monumentalretabel in Castile a [ ... ]. Siloam is also the tomb of Juan de Padilla († 1491 ) from the monastery Fresdelval (now the province of Burgos Museum ) associated, which was created from 1500 to 1505 and is to be performed in part by assistants.

The National Museums in Berlin describe him as the father of Diego de Siloé.