Master of Calzada

(Active in Palencia in the first half of the 16th Century)

Saint Anthony of Padua

Footnotes

We are grateful to Dr Isabel Mateo Gómez for identifying the present and the following lots as works by the Master of Calzada. In her report on these painting she notes the clear resemblance with the vigorous style of the Master of Calzada in the altarpiece of Villalcázar de Sirga (Palencia, Spain), as shown in its Saint Anthony, Saint Francis and other characters, including Saint Peter from a different altarpiece, now in a private collection in Barcelona. According to C.R. Post and Pilar Silva, the altarpiece of Villalcázar was the collaborative effort of three different artists: the Master Alejo, the Master of Calzada and the Master of Sirga. Dr Mateo, however, argues that all their works are close enough to conclude that they were made by the same artist. This opinion was shared by Diego Angulo Iguíñez and, to some extent, José Gudiol (who considered Alejo and Calzada to be the same artists, and Sirga a different one).

The present two works' format is typical of predella panels. Contemporary Castilian altarpieces, by masters such Pedro Berruguete or the Master of Becerril, show an interesting development of the predella, thanks to which its characters become more dynamic and engaging. This is also the case for the present Saint Francis and Saint Anthony.

Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Padua were both Franciscan friars. Here Saint Anthony bears the Child inside him, while in later works, the Child is shown outside the Saint, either on top of an open Bible or held by Saint Anthony's hand; in this way the Master of Calzada stresses the link between the Saint and Christ by placing Him inside the Saint's chest.