ARRIVAL AND FIRST WORKS BY MIGUEL PERRIN IN THE CATHEDRAL IN SEVILLE: THE SCULPTURAL PROGRAM OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DOME BY JUAN GIL DE HONTAÑÓN

Abstract

This paper deals with the arrival in Seville of French sculptor Miguel Perrin and the first works he undertook at the request of the Seville cathedral chapter. In addition, it explores Perrin’s probable relationship with an artist of identical name who worked at Bar-le Duc’s castle circa 1515. Sixteen pieces of terracotta sculpture made of polychromous fired clay, placed on the cathedral dome after it was rebuilt by Juan Gil de Hontañón (from 1511 to 1517), are studied as well; those pieces of sculpture, dating back to 1518-19, clearly show Perrin’s stylistic trends, which in their turn became of paramount importance, as they helped introduce new Renaissance artistic patterns in Seville.