Auto de Fe Detail of "Sentence given by the Inquisition in the Presence of Saint Domingo " or St. Dominic Presiding over the Burning of Heretics by Berruguete - Spanish Inquisition in Prado Museum Pedro Berruguete (c. 1450 - 1504) was a Spanish painter, his art is regarded as a transitional style between gothic and renaissance. Born in Paredes de Nava, Spain, he went to Italy in 1480 and worked in Federigo di Montefeltro愀 court in Urbino. He came back Spain 1482 and painted in several cities as Sevilla, Toledo and Avila. He was father of an important sculptor, Alonso Berruguete, considered the most important sculptor in Renaissance Spain. The executions were held at the Auto da F?at times specified by the Holy Office, sometimes several years apart, so that condemned prisoners might be on Death Row for all this time, and those who were to be punished otherwise, had to suffer the imprisonment, unless they knew someone to stand bail, and that might put the benefactor under suspicion. To announce the occasion, the Officers of the Inquisition, preceded by drums, bugles and the banner of the Holy Office marched in cavalcade to proclaim the Auto da F?in the following month. The ceremony was held without fail on a Sunday, and the whole population were expected to turn out. Spies would note any absences and that would be considered suspicious. ?006 Credit:TopFoto