Diego de Siloe
The first great Spanish architect of the Renaissance
Diego's Biograpgy
Diego de Siloe was born 1495 in Burgos, Spain and died October 22, 1563 in Granada, Spain. Diego spent most of his life in Granada (1528-1563), being commissioned as a skilled architect and sculptor to design and redesign many important buildings. Diego was the son of late Gothic sculptor Gil Siloee and was an assistant to sculptor Bartolome Ordonez. Diego often incorporated his sculpting skills into his architecture. Some notable pieces of his include the Golden Stair, Church of San Jeronimo, and the cathedral of Granada. Diego didn't have any notable Patron to speak of other than his mentor, Bartolome Ordonez.
The Golden Stair
The Golden Stair was designed and constructed in the north transept of the cathedral in Burgos (1519-1522). It was Diego's first architectural commission and is considered one of the great staircases of the Renaissance. I find the Golden stair interesting because it has a Gothic look mixed with a classical style. You can see the Gothic look in the dark railings lined with richly sculpted grotesques. Yet there is a classical style in the semicircular first four steps of the staircase and the arched house tombs built into the staircase. The Golden Stair is an example of classicism because of it's use of arches, symmetry, and detail.
Citations Page
Cathedral
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Diego de Siloe
Catedral de Burgos.: view of the interior with the Escalera Dorada (Golden Staircase)
Staircase added by Siloe in the 16th century cathedral built in the 13th century
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San Jeronimo Monastery
15th century
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