Alonso Sánchez Coello

Alonso Sánchez Coello (* 1531 or 1532 in Benisayro near Valencia; † 1588 in Madrid) was a Spanish painter. He was born in Valencia and studied in Brussels. There he met Anthonis Mor, by whom he was influenced. In 1571 Sánchez succeeded him as court painter to the Spanish king Philip II. There are still many works by this artist in Spain, e.g. the portrait of the Infante Don Carlos and Donna Isabella in the Madrid Gallery, the "Marriage of Saint Catherine" in El Escorial, "Sebastian with Christ and Mary" in the monastery church of San Geronimo in Madrid.

Alonso Sánchez Coello was most excellent in portraiture; his heads have a soulful expression, his drawing is correct and careful, the conception severe, somewhat stiff.