Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras

Who was Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras?

Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras was a prominent Mexican architect and a painter. He was active during the colonial period and early independence.

Believing he had a religious vocation, he entered a monastery in Mexico City, but soon changed his mind and returned to Celaya and was married. He began working as an artist — painting, sculpture and engraving. He soon requested permission to work as an architect. His first architectural works were the Fountain of Neptune and an arch commemorating the proclamation of Charles IV as king. Both of these are in Querétaro.

From 1802 through 1807 he worked rebuilding the church of El Carmen in Celaya, in a Neoclassical style. This is considered his greatest work. The church presents three Neoclassical façades, above which rises a tower ending in a bell shape. This was a novelty in New Spain at the time of its construction. The church also includes a graceful tiled dome above the crossing and a lateral façade showing French influence. Tresguerras also executed some of the sculptures in this church.

In the same city he designed the chapel for his interment in the church of San Francisco, and a bridge over the River La Laja.