THE MAIN ALTARPIECE OF THE MERCED CALZADA IN ÉCIJA

Abstract

The main altarpiece of the Merced Calzada of Écija was constructed by Juan de Ortuño, Pedro Freile de Guevara and Felipe Vázquez Ureta in this city between 1608 and 1615. These sculptors, linked to the artistic circle around Cordoba, worked on the altarpiece under the supervision of Juan de Oviedo, the major arquitect of the Archbishopric of Seville. Although the altarpiece is completly manierista inspired, it constitutes a notable sample of the protobarroca sculpture of Andalusia and justifi es the importance of Écija as an out-standing artistic crossroads among the kingdoms of Seville, Cordoba and Granada.