Churrigueresque

Style of late-baroque architecture characterized by lavish sculptural decoration, originating in Spain in the late 17th century. The term is also used to describe other forms of Spanish late-baroque architecture, especially in Mexico and South America.

The style was named after the Churriguera family of architects and sculptors. José Benito de Churriguera (1665–1725), the best-known member of the family, was responsible for the layout of the town of Nuevo Baztan, Spain (1709). The lavishness of the style was taken to extremes by its two leading exponents, Narciso Tomé (active 1715–1742) and Pedro de Ribera (1683–1742); the latter was responsible for the wildly extravagant doorway to the Hospicio San Fernando, Madrid (1738).