NICOLÁS DE RUEDA, ENTALLADOR Y RETABLISTA (ACT. 1728-1755): NUEVAS OBRAS EN MURCIA Y CARTAGENA

Abstract

Master Nicolás de Rueda, whose activity is documented between 1728 and 1755, played a capital role in the compass of the retable-making activity in Murcia during the XVIII^th century. Up to date, his name was known mainly because of the collateral reredos in the parish church of St. Michael, in Murcia, devoted to the Virgen de los Dolores [Mater Dolorosa], and some other works of different scope in Lorca, Jumilla and Murcia itself. At present, we can add the reredos of the Cofradía del Rosario [Rosary Brotherhood] or Patrocinio in the mentioned St. Michael's church, in Murcia, made in 1738-39, and overall the ancient main retable in the church at the Hospital de la Caridad [Charity Hospital] in Cartagena, the contract of which was made in 1755. In these works the author displays and advanced baroque art, connected with the imafronte of rhe cathedral and full of Italian impressions derived from Father Pozo. Their beautiful and fine decoration hints at the Rococo and both specimens are of cardinal importante to locate the stylistic evolution of baroque altarpieces in the Region.