Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras
Encyclopedia
Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras (October 13, 1759, Celaya
, Guanajuato
—August 3, 1833, Celaya) was a prominent Mexican architect and a painter. He was active during the colonial period and early independence.
Believing he had a religious vocation, he entered a monastery in Mexico City, but soon changed his mind and returned to Celaya and was married. He began working as an artist — painting, sculpture and engraving. He soon requested permission to work as an architect. His first architectural works were the Fountain of Neptune (1797) and an arch commemorating the proclamation of Charles IV
as king. Both of these are in Querétaro
.
From 1802 through 1807 he worked rebuilding the church of El Carmen in Celaya, in a Neoclassical
style. This is considered his greatest work. The church presents three Neoclassical façades, above which rises a tower ending in a bell shape. This was a novelty in New Spain at the time of its construction. The church also includes a graceful tiled dome above the crossing and a lateral façade showing French influence. Tresguerras also executed some of the sculptures in this church.
In the same city he designed the chapel for his internment in the church of San Francisco, and a bridge over the River La Laja. In Guanajuato the palace of the Count of Casa Rul is his. Professionally, he traveled widely in the central part of the country. He is also credited with other buildings in San Luis Potosí
, San Miguel el Grande
, Salvatierra
, Salamanca
, Irapuato, and some towns in Jalisco
.
Among his paintings are a portrait of his wife (1787), a self-portrait (1794) and two frescos in the church of El Carmen in San Luis Potosí. There is also a El Juicio Final (Last Judgment) in the chapel of Los Cofrades in the church of El Carmen de Celaya.
Tresguerras also wrote devotional works and poetic satires. A notebook of critical notes was published, unedited, in 1962 under the title Ocios literarios. His friends wrote a biographical sketch entitled Tres zamoranos ilustres. This remained unpublished until 1951, when it appeared in Morelia.
Tresguerras was arrested in 1811 for sympathy with the independence movement.
The Museo Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Mexico City contains several of his works:
Celaya
Celaya is a city and its surrounding municipality in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, located in the southeast quadrant of the state. It is the third most populous city in the state, with a 2005 census population of 310,413. The municipality for which the city serves as municipal seat, had a...
, Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guanajuato is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 46 municipalities and its capital city is Guanajuato....
—August 3, 1833, Celaya) was a prominent Mexican architect and a painter. He was active during the colonial period and early independence.
Believing he had a religious vocation, he entered a monastery in Mexico City, but soon changed his mind and returned to Celaya and was married. He began working as an artist — painting, sculpture and engraving. He soon requested permission to work as an architect. His first architectural works were the Fountain of Neptune (1797) and an arch commemorating the proclamation of Charles IV
Charles IV of Spain
Charles IV was King of Spain from 14 December 1788 until his abdication on 19 March 1808.-Early life:...
as king. Both of these are in Querétaro
Querétaro
Querétaro officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Querétaro de Arteaga is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 18 municipalities and its capital city is Santiago de Querétaro....
.
From 1802 through 1807 he worked rebuilding the church of El Carmen in Celaya, in a Neoclassical
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
style. This is considered his greatest work. The church presents three Neoclassical façades, above which rises a tower ending in a bell shape. This was a novelty in New Spain at the time of its construction. The church also includes a graceful tiled dome above the crossing and a lateral façade showing French influence. Tresguerras also executed some of the sculptures in this church.
In the same city he designed the chapel for his internment in the church of San Francisco, and a bridge over the River La Laja. In Guanajuato the palace of the Count of Casa Rul is his. Professionally, he traveled widely in the central part of the country. He is also credited with other buildings in San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
, San Miguel el Grande
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a city and municipality located in the far eastern part of the state of Guanajuato in central Mexico. It is 274 km from Mexico City and 97 km from the state capital of Guanajuato...
, Salvatierra
Salvatierra, Guanajuato
Salvatierra is a Mexican city located in the valley of Huatzindeo in the lowlands of the state of Guanajuato. With an area of 507.70 square kilometres, Salvatierra accounts for 1.66% the total area of the state...
, Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
, Irapuato, and some towns in Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
.
Among his paintings are a portrait of his wife (1787), a self-portrait (1794) and two frescos in the church of El Carmen in San Luis Potosí. There is also a El Juicio Final (Last Judgment) in the chapel of Los Cofrades in the church of El Carmen de Celaya.
Tresguerras also wrote devotional works and poetic satires. A notebook of critical notes was published, unedited, in 1962 under the title Ocios literarios. His friends wrote a biographical sketch entitled Tres zamoranos ilustres. This remained unpublished until 1951, when it appeared in Morelia.
Tresguerras was arrested in 1811 for sympathy with the independence movement.
The Museo Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Mexico City contains several of his works:
- La Virgen del Carmen
- Santa Rosa de Viterbo
- Educación de la Virgen