BERRUGUETE, PEDRO

born 15th century, Paredes de Nava, Castile [now in Palencia, Spain] died Jan. 6, 1504, Avila, Castile also called Pedro Espaol, or Pietro Spagnuolo the first great Renaissance painter in Spain, and the father of Alonso Berruguete, the greatest Spanish sculptor of the 16th century. Berruguete is believed to have studied in Naples under Colantonio and to have worked in 1477 at the ducal palace in Urbino (now in Italy). He returned to Spain to produce works for the Toledo Cathedral (148399) and then moved to vila to work on the cathedral there until his death. Berruguete's paintings are marked by elegance and dignity combined with a profound feeling for space and atmosphere. The style is often eclectic, a mixture of Flemish, Spanish Gothic, and Italian Renaissance, but it is never imitative. This combination of influences may be seen in his masterpiece, the main altarpiece in the convent of San Toms in vila (14991503). In these panels, representing scenes from the life of St. Thomas of vila, there is a combination of luxurious ornament and gold decoration with a simplicity and ease of depiction.