Caspicara Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Caspicara Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 26, 2024
ATTRIBUTED TO MANUEL CHILI CASPICARA (ECUADOR, 1723 - 1796)
Est: €60,000 - €90,000
Attributed to Manuel Chili Caspicara (Ecuador, 1723 - 1796) 'Corpus Christi' Sculpture in carved and polychrome wood. 134 x 131 cm. Our image is undoubtedly comparable to one of the most important attributed to the sculptor, the recumbent Christ in the Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador. It must have been an important commission, by someone in a high political or ecclesiastical position. It must be remembered that Caspicara was born in the city of Quito, then the capital of the Spanish Royal Court of the same name. The Audiencia y Cancillería Real de Quito (1563-1822) was the highest court of the Spanish Crown in the territories of the province. As can be seen, it preserves, thanks to a museum intervention, much of its wonderful original polychromy, in the faces and half torso with that original tone of Caspicara as porcelain, and in the purity cloth that stylistically and at the level of polychromy is not possible to attribute to any author of our country, but once again refers us to Caspicara. The result of the handling of the gouge that creates this Christ, human, recently expired, with an anatomically perfect face and body, sculpturally of great mastery, truly deserves a reverential and paused contemplation. Manuel Chili, known by his artistic name, 'Caspicara', was one of the most important indigenous sculptors of the so-called Quito School of the 18th century. His teachers were Diego de Robles and Bernardo de Legarda, with whom he collaborated as a young man in their workshops. In fact, he is considered the successor in the art of imagery to Bernardo de Legarda, who created magnificent sculptures, especially in wood or marble. Caspicara began his work making images at a very early age, according to the historian Jaime Aguilar de Paredes, until he achieved a mastery that placed him at the level of European artists. Specializing in religious motifs made of wood and marble, his work was made for the most important altars in churches and convents in the region, although his sculptures also reached Europe to form part of the collections of the nobility and monarchy. The Quito school, led by Caspicara, reached its maximum splendour in the 17th and 18th centuries, being of great prestige among the colonies as well as in the Spanish Court in Madrid. Its production was one of the activities that contributed the most income to the Royal Court of Quito. The phrase attributed to King Charles III, referring to the Quito School, is well known: 'I am not worried that Italy has Michaelangelo, in my American colonies I have the master Caspicara'. His best-known works are in Quito Cathedral and in San Francisco Church in Quito, as well as in the Hispanic Society of America. Likewise, as the Cervantes Institute website indicates: “Due to the beauty of the way in which they were prepared, the Christ of Bethlehem is outstanding; also, the recumbent Christ and the Virgin of Light that watch over the Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador; the Assumption of the Virgin that adorns the Church of San Francisco; the Impression of the Wounds, located in La Cantuña; and in particular, the Holy Shroud that visitors to the cathedral of Quito can admire.” Bibliographic references: - Aguilar Paredes, Jaime 'Grandes Personalidades de la Partria Ecuatoriana'. Ed. Fray Judoca Ricke, p. 104. Antiques. Colonial.
La Suite Subastas
Mar. 20, 2024
Attributed to Manuel Chili "Caspicara" (1723-1796), Quiteña School, Viceroyalty of Peru "Arcangel Chamuel?" Carved, polychrome, gilded and stewed wooden sculpture with vitreous paste eyes c
Est: -
Attributed to Manuel Chili "Caspicara" (1723-1796), Quiteña School, Viceroyalty of Peru "Arcangel Chamuel?" Carved, polychrome, gilded and stewed wooden sculpture with vitreous paste eyes with the particularity of being blue. The figure holds what looks like a fruit, but it could also be a heart, which is the attribute of the archangel Chamuel, who is also represented with a rose. Height: 6i1 cm
Subastas Segre
Mar. 20, 2024
Attributed to Manuel Chili "Caspicara" (1723-1796), Quiteña School, Viceroyalty of Peru "San Juan"? Carved, polychrome, gilded and stewed wooden sculpture with vitreous paste eyes.
Est: -
Attributed to Manuel Chili "Caspicara" (1723-1796), Quiteña School, Viceroyalty of Peru "San Juan"? Carved, polychrome, gilded and stewed wooden sculpture with vitreous paste eyes. Realistic expression with polished flesh and a characteristic stew of the Quito School, both in the colors and in the floral motifs represented. One hand is missing. Manuel Chili, known by his Quechua nickname Caspicara (wooden face), is one of the greatest exponents of the Quito School that stood out in relation to other parts of America and even the peninsula and had its greatest splendor during the 17th centuries. and XVIII. Manuel Chili stood out as a child in carving, doing work for the main Jesuit Church in Quito, so the Jesuits decided to take charge of education and put him to work with the sculptor Bernardo de Legarda to polish his technique in painting and sculpture. His work, carried out especially among scaffolding, made him develop a fear of heights that made him remain silent and with his eyes closed for hours despite the fact that it is said that he worked 12 hours in a row. His fame began to spread throughout both the New and Old Worlds and his beautiful works decorate churches on both continents, some of which, due to their realism, have been endowed with miraculous qualities and are currently the cultural heritage of Ecuador. King Charles III said "I am not worried that in Italy they have Michelangelo, in my colonies in America I have Maestro Caspicara." However, his fame did not save him from dying in misery, abandoned in a hospice. The facial expression, as well as the realism of the incipient beard, can be found in "The Holy Shroud", a work by Caspicara that is in the Cathedral of Quito. Height: 64 cm
Subastas Segre
May. 26, 2023
ATTRIBUTED TO MANUEL DE CHILI 'CASPICARA' (QUITO, 1723 - 1796)
Est: €90,000 - €150,000
Attributed to Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796) "The Adoration of Kings and Shepherds" Gilded, silvered and polychromed carved wooden sculptural group. 56 x 83 x 17 cm. This lot has been imported, so its export license from the spanish Ministry of Culture is guaranteed. This sculpture is undoubtedly one of the most important from among the artist’s known output. It must have been an important commission, by someone in a high political or ecclesiastical position. It must be remembered that Caspicara was born in the city of Quito, then the capital of the Spanish Royal Court of the same name. The Audiencia y Cancillería Real de Quito (1563-1822) was the highest court of the Spanish Crown in the territories of the province. This sculpture is clearly comparable to the Saint Joseph and the Child that is kept in the Museum of San Francisco in Quito. It is evident that the Saint Joseph that appears in both sculptures is the same model, although this one has a longer beard. Even the clothing has almost identical ornamentation. Likewise, we find the hat that covers the head of the shepherdess in other work by Caspicara. Sculpturally, he achieved great mastery in handling the gouge, as is demonstrated in the treatment of all the characters, who have extremely delicate features, beautiful faces, thin and precious hands. Each character has a specific movement and gesture at the wonder of contemplating the newborn Jesus. The sculptor shows us the scene with great theatricality and movement. The decoration deserves a particular mention, made with the special and unique technique of the Quito workshops. Caspicara was a genius with polychrome, having his own personal colour palette, and with the characteristic stamp of combining and adapting European and indigenous features. All this is evident in this sculpture. There is no space free of detail in the polychrome, painted with a brush on gold and silver. The richness of the polychrome is marvellous, with infinite shades of colour which, together with the brilliant carnations and with that porcelain appearance characteristic of Caspicara, achieves an effect that goes beyond the artistic, transmitting great spirituality and devotion. Manuel Chili, known by his artistic name, "Caspicara", was one of the most important indigenous sculptors of the so-called Quito School of the 18th century. His teachers were Diego de Robles and Bernardo de Legarda, with whom he collaborated as a young man in their workshops. In fact, he is considered the successor in the art of imagery to Bernardo de Legarda, who created magnificent sculptures, especially in wood or marble. Caspicara began his work making images at a very early age, according to the historian Jaime Aguilar de Paredes, until he achieved a mastery that placed him at the level of European artists. Specializing in religious motifs made of wood and marble, his work was made for the most important altars in churches and convents in the region, although his sculptures also reached Europe to form part of the collections of the nobility and monarchy. The Quito school, led by Caspicara, reached its maximum splendour in the 17th and 18th centuries, being of great prestige among the colonies as well as in the Spanish Court in Madrid. Its production was one of the activities that contributed the most income to the Royal Court of Quito. The phrase attributed to King Charles III, referring to the Quito School, is well known: "I am not worried that Italy has Michaelangelo, in my American colonies I have the master Caspicara". His best-known works are in Quito Cathedral and in San Francisco Church in Quito, as well as in the Hispanic Society of America. Likewise, as the Cervantes Institute website indicates: “Due to the beauty of the way in which they were prepared, the Christ of Bethlehem is outstanding; also, the recumbent Christ and the Virgin of Light that watch over the Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador; the Assumption of the Virgin that adorns the Church of San Francisco; the Impression of the Wounds, located in La Cantuña; and in particular, the Holy Shroud that visitors to the cathedral of Quito can admire.” Reference bibliography: Aguilar Paredes, Jaime "Grandes Personalidades de la Partria Ecuatoriana". Ed. Fray Judoco Ricke, p. 104. Colonial.
La Suite Subastas
Mar. 03, 2022
Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, Ecuador, 1723 - 1796)
Est: €80,000 - €100,000
Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, Ecuador, 1723 - 1796) "Pietà" Carved, polychromed, gilded and estofado-decorated wooden sculpture with rubies affixed to it. 56 x 55 x 30 cm. This sculpture can be compared with that of the sculptural group "The Holy Shroud" which is kept in the Cathedral of Quito. Manuel Chili, known by his artistic name, "Caspicara", was one of the most important indigenous sculptors of what is known as the Quito School of the 18th century. Caspicara began making images at a very young age, according to the historian Jaime Aguilar de Paredes, until reaching a mastery that placed him at a level with European artists. His teachers were Diego de Robles and Bernardo de Legarda, in whose workshops he collaborated when he was young. Specialising in religious motifs made of wood and marble, his work was made for the most important altars in churches and convents in the region, although his work arrived in Europe also, to form part of the collections of the nobility and the monarchy. Bibliographic references: - Aguilar Paredes, Jaime "Grandes Personalidades de la Partria Ecuatoriana". Ed. Fray Judoco Ricke, p. 104. Colonial.
La Suite Subastas
Nov. 25, 2021
ATTRIBUTED TO MANUEL DE CHILI "CASPICARA" (QUITO, 1723 - 1796)
Est: €8,000 - €11,000
Attributed to Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796) "Christ" Carved and polychromed wooden sculpture. 40,5 x 34 cm.
La Suite Subastas
Nov. 25, 2021
ATTRIBUTED TO MANUEL DE CHILI "CASPICARA" (QUITO, 1723 - 1796)
Est: €3,600 - €4,000
Attributed to Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796) "Pietà". Carved, gilded and polychromed wooden sculpture. Colonial. Quito. Ecuador. 18th century. 37 x 35 x 13 cm.
La Suite Subastas
Oct. 26, 2021
Attributed to Manuel Chili "Caspicara". The crucified Christ.
Est: €25,000 - €35,000
Atribuido a Manuel Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, c.1720-1796) Cristo crucificado. Talla en madera de cedro policromada. Ojos de vidrio y lágrimas de resina. Magnífica calidad de la anatomía, la policromía de las carnaciones así como el dramatismo que desprende, rasgos típicos de la escuela Quiteña de la que Caspicara está considerado uno de sus máximos exponentes. Destaca la representación realista, no sólo de las llagas y heridas, sino del dolor en el rostro de Jesús. Muestra un gran virtuosismo y refinamiento en el tratamiento de la cara y las espinas clavándose en la propia carne. Obra de gran realismo y profundo sentimiento. Observamos similitudes con otras obras de Caspicara como el Cristo del altar de la iglesia de El Belén y el Cristo yacente del Museo Nacional de Ecuador. Escultor ecuatoriano perteneciente a la escuela quiteña de arte de siglo XVIII, de la cuál fue uno de sus más importantes representantes. Entre sus principales maestros se encuentran Diego de Robles y Bernardo de Legarda, con quienes trabajó en sus respectivos talleres durante su juventud. Cultivó los motivos religiosos tanto en madera como en mármol, siendo de particular atención sus Cristos, Vírgenes y retablos. En particular son sus representaciones de Cristos como nuestra obra, las que extendieron su fama por el imperio. Sus principales obras se conservan en la Catedral y en la iglesia de San Francisco de Quito y en Popayán, Colombia. Bibliografía de referencia. "La escultura en el Ecuador. Siglos XVI al XVIII", por José Gabriel Navarro. Pág.: 171. Editorial Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. Madrid, 1929. Medidas Cristo: 47 x 37 cm. Medida todal: 93,5 x 62 x 24 cm.
Aletheia Subastas
Dec. 16, 2020
Sleeping Child Jesus" in carved and polychrome wood attributed to Manuel Chili Caspicara Quito (1720-1796) second half 18th century.
Est: -
With defects in the polychrome. Length: 20 cms.
Subastas Segre
Mar. 28, 2019
Attributed to Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796)
Est: €2,500 - €4,000
Attributed to Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796) "Saint Joseph" Carved, gilded and polychromed wooden sculpture. Colonial. 18th century. Height: 37,5 cm.
La Suite Subastas
Dec. 14, 2017
Attributed to Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796) "Saint
Est: €10,000 - €20,000
Attributed to Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796) "Saint Genesius Martyr" Colonial. Carved, stewed, gilded and polychromed cedarwood reliquary bust. The silver reliquary and the relic are preserved in the chest. Has the magnificent typical chromatic richness associated with the artist. Saint Genesius or Saint Genès of Arles was a French notary in Provence, (France) and was martyred during the persecution of Diocletian. As an attribute of his profession, he holds the document of the imperial edict against Christians, which he refused to sign, as is the case with this bust. His second attribute, the sword with which he was decapitated, or the quill, are not preserved in this case, although the position of the hand suggests that he did once hold the sword. 68 x 49 x 37 cm.
La Suite Subastas
Jun. 01, 2017
Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796)↵"The Christ Child sleeping
Est: €6,500 - €8,500
Manuel de Chili "Caspicara" (Quito, 1723 - 1796)↵"The Christ Child sleeping"↵Carved, polychromed wooden sculpture. ↵One of the greats of the Quito School, considered to be the successor to Bernardo de Legara in imagery art. He made magnificent sculptures, particularly in wood and marble. ↵His most well-known work is found in Quito Cathedral and at the Church of Saint Francis in the same city. ↵Currently the Museo del Prado is holding the exhibition "Treasures of the Hispanic Society of America. Visions of a Hispanic world", and among the exhibits is "The final judgement of man" a sculptural group attributed to Manuel de Chili↵Child measurements: 7,5 x 28,5 cm.
La Suite Subastas