PIQUER Y DUART, José

Spanish sculptor, part of a family of sculptors. His father, José Piquer, was a sculptor and director of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos in Valencia. He received his sculptural training in his father’s institution, working within the current Neo-classical style. In 1830 he moved to Madrid and entered the Escuela de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. In 1832 he was named ‘academico de merito’, having submitted the relief the Daughter of Jephthah for his examination.

From 1836 he traveled to Mexico, the United States and finally to Paris. In 1841 he returned to Madrid where he was named Director of Sculpture at the Academy of San Fernando. He was commissioned for several sculptures by Isabella II. He was also commissioned to execute various sculptures to the Palacio de San Telmo in Seville. In 1855 he made the tomb of General Francisco Espoz and Mina in the cloister of the Cathedral of Pamplona.