Juan Martínez Montañés: The God of Wood Juan Martínez Montañés (1568-1649) stands as a monumental figure in Spanish Baroque sculpture, earning the moniker “El Dios de la Madera” (“The God of Wood”) due to his unparalleled mastery of wood carving and polychromy—techniques that elevated it beyond mere craftsmanship into an art form itself. Born in Alcalá la Real, Jaén, Montañés’s formative years coincided with a period of artistic ferment in Seville, where he honed his skills under Pablo de Roxas before establishing a prolific workshop that would shape the visual landscape of Spain for decades…