Pedro de Ribera
Pedro de Ribera (Madrid 4 August 1681 - Madrid, 1742) was a Spanish architect of the Baroque period. Biography. Ribera worked almost exclusively in Madrid during the first half of the 18th century. He was a disciple of José Benito de Churriguera (creator of the style Churrigueresque). Following in the footsteps of his master, Ribera is considered one of the most important architects of the late Baroque period in Spain. He designed a remarkable quantity of work in Madrid, the capital of Spain, giving the city bridges, palaces, monumental fountains, churches and a variety of public buildings, many  of which can still be seen. Between 1718 and 1719, he was Lieutenant Major Master of Works and sources of Madrid, succeeding Teodoro Ardemans following his death. This position cemented his reputation and allowed him to occupy an important position at court, despite the clear preference of King Philip V of Spain of the sort of foreign architects working in Madrid in the 1720s. Many of Ribera's creations were destroyed or modified later, especially in the 18th century, when Neoclassicism was a dominating movement. Ribera's architectural style was attacked by influential art scholars like Antonio Ponz. Works. Francisco  Antonio de Salcedo and Aguirre, Marqués de Vadillo, was a patron of Ribera who encouraged him and funded many of his projects. These may include: