Morales, Luis de

born с 1509, Badajoz, Spain

died May 9, 1586, Badajoz

Spanish painter.

He lived all his life in Badajoz, leaving only for occasional commissions. He is considered Spain's greatest Mannerist painter and is known especially for his emotional religious paintings. He always worked on panels, often depicting such subjects as the Ecce Homo, the Pietà, and the Virgin and Child. His paintings show the influence of Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael and are marked by detailed execution and the anguished asceticism of 16th-century Spain.

"The Virgin and Child," panel by Luis de Morales; in the National Gallery, London

By courtesy of the National Gallery, London; photograph, A.C. Cooper

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▪ Spanish painter

byname  El Divino (Spanish: “The Divine”) 

born c. 1509, Badajoz, Spain

died May 9, 1586, Badajoz

      painter who was the first Spanish artist of pronounced national character, considered to be the greatest native Mannerist painter of Spain. He is remembered for his emotional religious paintings, which earned him his sobriquet and greatly appealed to the Spanish populace.

      Morales may have studied with the Flemish painter Hernando Sturmio in Badajoz or with Pedro de Campaña in Seville. He worked in Badajoz from 1546, leaving on occasional commissions but making his home there all his life. Summoned by King Philip II of Spain to help in the decoration of El Escorial, he painted a “Christ Carrying the Cross” that did not please the king and was removed to the Church of San Jerónimo, Madrid.

      Morales always worked on panels, often depicting such subjects as “Ecce Homo,” “Pietà,” and “The Virgin and Child.” Perhaps the best known of these panels are 20 on the life of Christ, painted for the Church of Arroyo del Puerco (1563–68). All of his paintings are marked by detailed execution and anguished asceticism. His work shows Flemish influences as well as some of the technical characteristics of Lombard Leonardesque painters; this has led scholars to believe that he might have traveled to Italy. He remains an artist remarkably representative of his period and nation.

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