Although Pedro de Mena trained as a sculptor under his father Alonso de Mena y Escalante and stayed true to his master’s style in the early years of his career, he was also indebted to Alonso Cano in terms of style, having worked with Cano before the latter returned to Madrid in 1657. His first major commissions were thus inspired by works of Cano, who was tasked with producing four sculptures for Santo Ángel Custodio convent. De Mena executed the commission masterfully, thus assuring himself of a place in the lofty circle of producers of religious artworks in Granada. In 1658, he permanently moved to Málaga, where he developed a productive workshop that never compromised on quality.

De Mena’s ‘Immaculate Conception’ is akin to a perfect three-dimensional rendering of Cano’s noble Mary sculpture from 1665-66.

Sibylla Goegebuer