Jordi de Déu
Encyclopedia
Jordi de Déu was a Catalan Gothic sculptor of Greek origin, born in Messina.
He was bought as a slave in Barcelona by the Catalan sculptor Jaume Cascalls
, who taught him sculpture. The first mentions of Jordi working alongside his master, on the royal tombs in Poblet Monastery
date to 1363. He also collaborated on the apostles statues for the portal of the Cathedral of Tarragona (1370–1377).
After Cascall's death, King Peter IV of Aragon
named him director of the works on the royal tombs (1381). In 1385 he executed a retable
in Vallfogona de Riucorb
and, the following year, an alabaster retable of St. Lawrence for the church of Santa Coloma de Queralt
. In Barcelona
, bishop Ramon d'Escales commissioned sculptures from him for the choir of the city's Cathedral, as well as other works in the same church. Later he received a commission for fifty capitals in the Monastery of Santa María de Ripoll.
He later worked on the Gothic decoration of Barcelona's Town Hall.
His son Antonio and Pere Johan
were both sculptors.
He was bought as a slave in Barcelona by the Catalan sculptor Jaume Cascalls
Jaume Cascalls
Jaume Cascalls was a Catalan sculptor, born in Berga. He was a representant of the Catalan school of Gothic sculpture. He was married to the daughter of painter Ferrer Bassa, with whom he had a profitable work relationship....
, who taught him sculpture. The first mentions of Jordi working alongside his master, on the royal tombs in Poblet Monastery
Poblet Monastery
The Royal Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet is a Cistercian monastery, founded in 1151, located at the feet of the Prades Mountains, in the comarca of Conca de Barberà, in Catalonia . It was founded by Cistercian monks from France on lands conquered from the Moors...
date to 1363. He also collaborated on the apostles statues for the portal of the Cathedral of Tarragona (1370–1377).
After Cascall's death, King Peter IV of Aragon
Peter IV of Aragon
Peter IV, , called el Cerimoniós or el del punyalet , was the King of Aragon, King of Sardinia and Corsica , King of Valencia , and Count of Barcelona Peter IV, (Balaguer, September 5, 1319 – Barcelona, January 6, 1387), called el Cerimoniós ("the Ceremonious") or el del punyalet ("the one...
named him director of the works on the royal tombs (1381). In 1385 he executed a retable
Retable
A retable is a framed altarpiece, raised slightly above the back of the altar or communion table, on which are placed the cross, ceremonial candlesticks and other ornaments....
in Vallfogona de Riucorb
Vallfogona de Riucorb
Vallfogona de Riucorb is a municipality in the comarca of the Conca de Barberà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the Comalats range in the north of the comarca, with the Cap de Cans rising to 759 m....
and, the following year, an alabaster retable of St. Lawrence for the church of Santa Coloma de Queralt
Santa Coloma de Queralt
Santa Coloma de Queralt is a municipality in the comarca of the Conca de Barberà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the north-east of the comarca.The town is linked to the rest of the comarca and to Igualada by the C-241 road.-Main sights:...
. In Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, bishop Ramon d'Escales commissioned sculptures from him for the choir of the city's Cathedral, as well as other works in the same church. Later he received a commission for fifty capitals in the Monastery of Santa María de Ripoll.
He later worked on the Gothic decoration of Barcelona's Town Hall.
His son Antonio and Pere Johan
Pere Johan
Pere Johan or Pere Joan was a Catalan Gothic sculptor.He was the son of sculptor Jordi de Déu, a former slave and disciple of sculptor Jaume Cascalls...
were both sculptors.