Biography

Francisco de la Maza was born in Meruelo around 1540 (Cantabria) and died in 1585 in Valladolid (Fernández Mateos, 2018). Little is known about his training or how he began working in Valladolid, but his works bear a resemblance to those of Juan de Juni, suggesting he may have trained in his workshop. His sculptures are characterised by technical skill, expressiveness, and attention to detail. His style blended the influence of Juan de Juni and Michelangelo (Fernández Mateos, 2018). He primarily worked on altarpieces and sculptures for churches and monasteries in Castile. He collaborated with other artists of his time, such as Juan Bautista Beltrán and Juan de Anchieta. Many of Francisco de la Maza’s works are now dispersed across museums and institutions both nationally and internationally. Notable examples include the main altarpiece of Tudela de Duero and the Immaculate Virgin in the Church of El Salvador in Simancas.

Bibliography

• FERNÁNDEZ MATEOS, Rubén (2018): "A propósito del escultor Francisco de la Maza: el traslado del retablo de los Reyes del monasterio de Nogales (León) y dos nuevas obras en la provincia de Valladolid", nº 84, BSAA Arte, pp. 153-172.