SPANISH CULTURE IN THE 16TH CENTURY

Spanish culture

Literature

Art

Architecture


In the first third of the century, the Plateresque style dominated

This style is characterised by ornate8 facades and was similar to the work that silversmiths produced at that time

Examples are the facade of Salamanca University, San Marcos Hospital in León and Santo Domingo Cathedral on the island Hispaniola

In the second third of the century, buildings were constructed in a Classicist or Purist style

This style faithfully reproduced the architectural characteristics of the Italian Renaissance

The amount of decoration was reduced and classical elements were accentuated such as columns and pediments. The main examples are

Granada Cathedral by Diego de Siloé

Jaén Cathedral and El Salvador Church in Úbeda, both by Andrés de Vandelvira

The Palace of Carlos V in the Alhambra in Granada by Pedro Machuca

The facade of the Alcázar and the Bisagra Gate, both in Toledo, by Alonso de Covarrubias

Sculpture

Painting


Spanish culture was greatly influenced by the Counter-Reformation

To prevent Protestant beliefs from spreading across the Iberian Peninsula, Felipe II impeded access to its doctrines in the following ways

Spaniards were not allowed to study in other countries

Books printed outside the Peninsula were not allowed into the country

Science in Spain progressed slowly because the new ideas and discoveries made in other countries took a long time to reach the Peninsula

Religion played a fundamental role in all works of art

The most famous religious authors were mystics who wrote about their spiritual experiences

such as Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross

Novels contained realistic portrayals of daily life, such as The tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea

which is attributed to Fernando de Rojas, and Lazarillo de Tormes, by an unknown author

Garcilaso de la Vega was the most important poet

The church and the monarchy used art to spread their ideas and values

The most important works of art were depictions of religious themes and portraits

In the Spanish Renaissance there were two styles

Mannerist

Classicist

which strove for harmony and serenity and was influenced by Italian art and Flemish painting, although mythological themes and nudes were not portrayed

which dominated in the second half of the century

The works were expressive and had a dramatic quality

This was because the Counter-Reformation wished to evoke intense feelings in its followers and strengthen their religious beliefs

The most important sculptures in the Classicist style are those by the Italians Leoni Leoni and his son Pompeo Leoni

Other important works are Carlos V's and Felipe II's cenotaphs

The bronze sculptures on the altarpiece of the Basilica of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and the sculpture of Carlos V and the Wrath

With the adoption of the style of Mannerism, the faces of the sculptures became more expressive

They tried to evoke intense feelings to reflect the dramatic situations in some of the passages of the Bible

The main works done in this style were of religious imagery and were painted wooden carvings and altarpieces OÑ.87 6

The most important Spanish Renaissance paintings are those by Juan de Juanes, such as Ecce Homo and The Last Supper

Their idealism is similar to Raphael's works

The Italian Titian, the main portrait artist from the Venetian school, was Carlos V's court painter, producing works such as Carlos V at the Battle of Mülberg and Isabella of Portugal

Alonso Sánchez Coello and Juan Pantoja de Cruz were Felipe II's portrait painters

From the middle of the century onwards, the influence of Michael Angelo and Mannerism was reflected in the use of elongated figures with dramatic expressions on their faces

Examples are the works by Luis de Morales, such as Madonna and Child and Piety

His works are characterised by the drama and spirituality reflected on the faces of his subjects, the use of elongated figures, cool colours and dark tones

Examples of his work are The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, The Disrobing of Christ and The Holy Trinity

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