born 0441; 1488, Paredes de Nava, Castile
died 1561, Toledo, Castile
Spanish sculptor and painter.
His father, Pedro Berruguete , was a great Renaissance painter. Alonso worked in Florence and Rome 0441; 150816. In 1516 he returned to Spain, and in 1518 he became court painter to Charles V. He succeeded primarily as a sculptor, however, and became known for his intensely emotional Mannerist sculptures of figures portrayed in spiritual torment or in transports of religious ecstasy. His best-known work is a set of wooden reliefs with highly expressive figures for choir stalls in Toledo Cathedral (153943). Berruguete's use of a rather rich and extravagant but delicate ornamentation in his church decorations is typical of Spain's Plateresque style. He is considered the greatest Spanish sculptor of the 16th century.