Sobre la producción y formación de Benito, pintor del renacimiento palentino

Abstract

Up to this point just a few isolated paintings have been connected with Benito, an artist of Falencia known only by his first name. This first monographic study attempts to enrich his catalogue with several new works, most important among them his contribution to the High Altarpiece of St. Peter's Church in San Pedro de Montealegre (today in the province of Valladolid, but once part of the diócesis of Palencia). The existence of several paintings close to his manner but not necessarily due to Benito himself proves that his art had in its day not been an isolated phenomenon. Although Benito might even have collaborated in altarpieces hitherto unanimously regarded as entirely autograph works by Juan de Flandes, the author believes that previous studies have linked Benito too exclusively to Juan's entourage. Indeed, the most tangible influence exerted on him seems to be that of Alonso Berruguete. In addition, there are strong indications of contacts with painters from the East of the Iberian Peninsula who had worked for some time in Renaissance Italy.