Juan Gómez de Mora (1586–1648)[1] was a Spanish architect, active in the 17th century. He was a main figure of Spanish early-Baroque architecture in the city of Madrid.[1] Spanish art historian Virginia Tovar Martín has published scholarly works on Gómez de Mora.[2]
Life
Gómez de Mora was born and died in Madrid. His father, also Juan Gómez [es],[1] was a Spanish Renaissance court painter to Philip II of Spain and was brother-in-law of the architect Francisco de Mora.[3] Upon the death of his father in 1597, his uncle Francisco took charge of his education and training. Gómez de Mora would later oversee the construction of a number of buildings designed by his uncle.
After the death of his uncle in 1610, and at the age of 24, he was appointed master builder of the Alcazar of Madrid, as well as architect of Philip III. Among his most outstanding works are the Plaza Mayor, which he built in a rectangular and arcaded shape, the Madrid Court Jail and the Casa de la Villa,[4] one of the headquarters of the Madrid City Hall.
He also made the main altarpiece of the basilica of the monastery of Guadalupe in Cáceres. In Salamanca he built La Clerecía for the Jesuit Order. In Zamora he is the author of the Hospital de la Encarnación, the current headquarters of the Provincial Council.
