El desarrollo de los talleres escultóricos neogranadinos entre los siglos XVI y XVII. La contribución de las importaciones artísticas y artífices europeos.

During the 16th and early 17th centuries a great amount of artistic works were imported from New Granada to supply churches and private homes. This is a sign of familiarity with European tastes and devotional practices and of the absence of professionals able to meet the demand. Gradually, the arrival of sculptors, carvers, assemblers, etc., who established their workshops in New Granada, gave rise to a local production that circulated from urban centers. The development of teaching and the arrival of technical manuals and treaties had an impact in Spaniards, Creoles and Indians. Thus, in sculpture, altarpieces and other arts, the influence of the knowledge and the artistic conceptions transferred from Spain is visible, but was interpreted more freely and individually by the architects of centers like Santafé, Tunja or Cartagena. In numerous sculptures from such urban centers, it is possible to appreciate the inspiration from foreign works. This suggests that local artists created their work taking into account the guidelines transmitted from Andalusia and Castile. From this, it is evident that the first imported altarpieces oriented the production of these pioneers.