Aproximación a la vida y obra del pintor y estofador alcalaíno-granadino Pedro Raxis

Abstract

En el presente trabajo realizamos una aproximación a la vida y la obra de un artista clave para la Granada de la Contrarreforma: Pedro de Raxis, sobrino carnal del escultor Pablo de Rojas -maestro a su vez del también alcalaíno Juan Martínez Montañés-, todos ellos figuras pioneras al enmarcar el paso del renacimiento romanista al primer naturalismo barroco. Creador, igualmente, de un activísimo taller, precursor en la formación de renombrados artistas, fue considerado en su época como el "padre de la estofa", aunque se infravaloró su faceta de pintor.

This article offers an approximation to the life and work of Pedro de Raxis, a key artist in Counter Reformation Granada. Raxis was the nephew of the sculptor Pablo de Rojas, who was also the master of Juan Martinez Montanes. All three were from Alcala de Henares and pioneers in the stylistic transition from the Roman Renaissance to early Baroque naturalism. Raxis also established an extremely active studio, precursor in the formation of famous artists, and during his lifetime was considered to be the 'father' of the estofa technique (the sizing, gilding and painting of wooden statuary), although his facet as a painter was underestimated.