Becerra, Gasparo

Becerra, Gasparo a Spanish painter, sculptor, and arclitect, was born at Bajeza, Andalusia, about 520. He studied at Rome under Michael Angelo. He carved in wood images of Christ, of the Virgin, and of saints. which were among the most beautifil ornaments of the Spanish churches. He was one of the first to conceive the idea of painting statues. His chief work is the statue of the Virgin, made by order of queen Isabella of Valois, which is admired at Madrid. He left some remarkable fresco paintings. He died at Madrid in 1570. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.; Spooner, Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, s.v.