SPANISH CULTURE IN THE 16TH CENTURY
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.
Literature
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
Art
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:
Classicist, which strove for harmony and serenity and was influenced by Italian art and Flemish painting, although mythological themes and nudes were not portrayed
Mannerist, 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.
Architecture
In the first third of the century, the Plateresque style dominated
This style is characterised by ornate 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 (the first one on the American continent) 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:
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
Jaén Cathedral and El Salvador Church in Úbeda, both by Andrés de Vandelvira
Granada Cathedral by Diego de Siloé
Sculpture
The main works done in this style were of religious imagery and were painted wooden carvings and altarpieces (sculptures or paintings which decorated the altar). The main artists were:
They tried to evoke intense feelings to reflect the dramatic situations in some of the passages of the Bible.
With the adoption of the style of Mannerism, the faces of the sculptures became more expressive.
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
Alonso Berruguete, who produced works such as The Sacrifice of Isaac and The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian.
Juan de Juni, who produced works such as The Entombment of Christ and The Virgen of Anguish.
Painting
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
In the last third of the century, the most important artist was El Greco, a Greek artist who worked in Toledo
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
