Other names

Biography

Fray Alonso de Zamora, also known as the Master of Oña or of Ameyugo, was a painter associated with the convent of Oña (Burgos) during the last quarter of the 15th century and the early 16th century. His works belong to the Hispano-Flemish style and in some respects are reminiscent of Fernando Gallego (Post, 1933), who was active in Salamanca, Zamora, and surrounding areas. According to Silva Maroto (1974),“perhaps his name can indicate his origin, and it is likely that this master trained in Zamora and was familiar with the early works of Gallego’s workshop, or that they shared a common training.” Furthermore, Fray Alonso de Zamora must have been familiar with the works of Alonso de Sedano and those of the Master of the Balbases (Silva Maroto, 1990).

Fray Alonso de Zamora’s paintings are characterized by their volume and the intense modeling of his figures. The flesh tones are light and the colors bright, with reddish and green hues predominating. His characters’ beards are pointed, their eyes bulging, and their eyebrows set close together. Regarding spatial composition, this master is known for simplifying it and handles outdoor scenes better than indoor ones (Silva Maroto, 1990). Among the works attributed to Fray Alonso de Zamora, the following may be cited as examples: Scenes from the Passion (Monastery of Oña, Burgos) and the altarpiece depicting the life of Christ in the Church of San Nicolás (Espinosa de los Monteros, Burgos).

Bibliography

• POST, Chandler Rathfon (1933): A History of Spanish Painting, vol. 4 (The Hispano-Flemish Style in North-Western Spain), nº 1, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Massachusetts), p. 236.
• SILVA MAROTO, María Pilar (1990): Pintura hispanoflamenca castellana: Burgos y Palencia. Obras en tabla y sarga, vol. III, Junta de Castilla y León, Valladolid, pp. 841-905.
• SILVA MAROTO, Pilar (1974): "El monasterio de Oña en tiempos de los Reyes Católicos", nº 186, Archivo Español de Arte, pp. 109-128.