Spanish architect and sculptor, son of architect Juan de Colonia and father of architect and sculptor Francisco de Colonia (c. 1470-1542).
After his father’s death in 1481 Simón succeeded him as master builder of Burgos Cathedral. His most famous work is the Capilla del Condestable (Chapel of the Constable) in this cathedral. He also worked on the reconstruction of Miraflores Charterhouse.
The Hispano-Flemish style of the mid-15th century became official under the Catholic Kings. Therefore the art of the late 15th and early 16th centuries is called Isabelline style or, more accurately, the Style of the catholic Kings. The Cartuja de Miraflores near Burgos represents this style. The building was intended as a resting place for Juan II and his wife, Isabella of Portugal. It is an aisleless, exquisitely furnished interior designed by Juan de Colonia and his son Sim�n. Gil de Silo� created the unique sculptural furnishings.
The picture shows the interior looking toward the retable by Diego de Silo�.
At the beginning of the 15th century in Castile, links with Burgundy strengthened under Juan II, and as a result of trade, connections developed between Castile and Flanders. In art, this resulted in a style of decoration and a style of architecture known as Hispano-Flemish. This name refers to the style of Spanish architecture, painting, and decoration associated with the reign of Isabella I during the end of the 15th century and concentrated in central Spain, which reflects a combination of the decorative Mud�jar style and more realist Flemish forms. The style is closely related to the Manueline style in Portugal and overlaps significantly with the Isabelline style.
A lavish example of the style is the Capilla del Condestable in Burgos Cathedral. It is a masterpiece of decorative architecture, the Gothic structure of the spacious two-story building being covered inside and out with filigree decoration in the Flamboyant style. The architect was Simon de Colonia, the son of the German Hans of Cologne (Juan de Colonia) who was the master mason in Burgos.
The picture shows the interior of the Capilla del Condestable in Burgos Cathedral.
