Juan de Arfe and the Monstrance of the Cathedral of Ávila: New Information

Abstract

In this study we are going to discuss and analyze new documents about the silversmith Juan de Arfe and his work in the monstrance of the cathedral of Ávila. The file, which has been kept in the Diocesan Archive of Ávila, is composed of a copy of the contract, correspondence sent by Arfe to the church’s incumbents, payment and power letters, and also the complete appraisal of the monstrance. Furthermore, through these documents, we can know some of the names of the skilled who worked for Arfe and the details of the monstrance creating process. All of this will allow us to increase our knowledge about the artist’s first masterpiece.