Other names

Biography

Felipe Bigarny was born around 1473 in Langres (Burgundy). He probably trained in one of the workshops near his hometown, as there were four specialising in sculpture at that time: Auxois, Autun, Langres, and Troyes (Quarré, 1978). According to Bertaux (1911) and Río de la Hoz (2001), it is possible that Bigarny studied under a master sculptor of Antoine de Moiturier's calibre, given the quality of his work. In the late 15th century, Bigarny travelled to Spain and settled in Burgos, a city enjoying significant economic prosperity at the time (Serrano, 1493). The Burgundian soon began working for Burgos Cathedral, where he executed the reliefs and choir stalls, which subsequently enabled him to work for other prominent figures of the period. In 1535, the chapter of Toledo Cathedral commissioned him to complete half of the choir stalls and the archbishop's seat, but he passed away in 1542. Numerous works are attributed to Felipe Bigarny, housed in museums and collections. Notable examples include: the Tomb of Bishop Diego de Avellaneda (National Sculpture Museum, Valladolid); Saint James the Apostle (National Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona); and part of the main altarpiece of Palencia Cathedral.

Bibliography

• BERTAUX, Émile (1911): "La Renaissance en Espagne et en Portugal", vol. 4, en Histoire de l'art, depuis les premiers temps chrétiens jusqu'à nos jours, Armand Coli, París.
• DEL RÍO DE LA HOZ, Isabel (2001): El escultor Felipe Bigarny (h. 1470-1542), Junta de Castilla y León, Valladolid.
• QUARRÉ, Pierre (1978): La sculpture en Bourgogne à la fin du Moyen Age, Office du Livre, Friburgo.