Diogo De Torralva

Place: Unknown

Born: 1500

Death: 1566

Biography:

Diogo de Torralva (1500 - 1566) was a Portuguese sculptor and architect of the Renaissance period. His exact origins are unknown, but he is known for his transition from the Renaissance style to the Mannerist style in Portugal. He became one of the leading figures of the Mannerist architecture movement in Portugal. Torralva's first notable work was the tomb of D. Luís da Silveira in Góis Church, completed in 1529. His most famous works include the Claustro de D. João III at the Convento de Cristo in Tomar and the Cloister dos Felipes (1557-1562) at the same convent. Torralva was an avid student of Vitruvius's treatise on architecture, published in 1486. He also edited Diego de Sagredo's 'Medidas del Romano,' a book about Roman architectural measurements and proportions, which was first published in 1526. Despite his Spanish-sounding name, Torralva is considered Portuguese due to his significant contributions to the country's architecture. He married the daughter of Francisco de Arruda, another prominent Portuguese architect.