SPANISH CULTURE IN THE 16TH CENTURY

LITERATURE

ART

ARCHITECTURE

SCULPTURE

PAINTINGS

Spanish culture influenced by Counter-Reformation

To prevent Protestant beliefs from spreading

Across the Iberian Peninsula

Felipe II impeded access to its doctrines

Spaniards not allowed to study in other countries

Books printed outside the Peninsula

Not allowed into the country

Science in Spain progressed slowly

New ideas/discoveries made in other countries

Took a long time to reach the Peninsula

Religion was fundamental in all works of art

The most famous religious authors were mystics

They wrote about their spiritual experiences

Saint Teresa of Jesus

Saint John of the Cross

Novels contained realistic portrayals of daily life

The tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea

Lazarillo de Tormes

An unknown author

Fernando de Rojas

Garcilaso de la Vega was the most important poet

The church/monarchy used art

To spread their ideas and values

The most important were depictions of religious themes & portraits

Spanish Renaissance two styles

Classicist

Mannerist

Strove for harmony and serenity

Influenced by Italian art and Flemish painting

Mythological themes/nudes were NOT portrayed

Dominated in the second half of the century

Were expressive and had a dramatic quality

The Counter-Reformation wanted to evoke intense feelings

In its followers & strengthen their religious beliefs

In the first third of the century

Plateresque style dominated

Characterised by ornate facades

Similar to the work that silversmiths produced at that time

Examples

Salamanca University

San Marcos Hospital in León

Domingo Cathedral on the island Hispaniola

In the second third of the century

Buildings constructed in a Classicist or Purist style

It faithfully reproduced the architectural characteristics

Of the Italian Renaissance

Decoration was reduced & classical elements were accentuated

Like columns and pediments

Examples

The Palace of Carlos V by Pedro Machuca

In the Alhambra in Granada

Granada Cathedral by Diego de Siloé

Jaén Cathedral and El Salvador

Church In Úbeda both by Andrés de Vandelvira

The facade of the Alcázar & the Bisagra Gate

Both in Toledo by Alonso de Covarrubias

The most important sculptures in the Classicist style

By the Italians Leoni Leoni & his son Pompeo Leoni

Other important works are

Carlos V's and Felipe II's cenotaphs

The bronze sculptures on the altarpiece of

The sculpture of Carlos V and the Wrath

The Basilica of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

The adoption of the style of Mannerism

Faces of the sculptures became more expressive

Tried to evoke intense feelings to reflect the dramatic situations

In the passages of the Bible

Main works

Were of religious imagery

Were painted wooden carvings and altarpieces

Main artists

Alonso Berruguete

The Sacrifice of Isaac

The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian

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Juan de Juni

The Entombment of Christ

The Virgen of Anguish

The most important Spanish Renaissance paintings

From Juan de Juanes like

Ecce Homo

The Last Supper

Their idealism is similar to Raphael's works

The main portrait artist

The Italian Titian from the Venetian school

Was Carlos V's court painter

Producing works like

Carlos V at the Battle of Mülberg

Isabella of Portugal

Felipe II's portrait painters were

Alonso Snachéz Coello

Juan Pantoja de cruz

After the middle of the century

Michael Angelo & Mannerism infuence was reflected

Used elongated figures with dramatic expressions on the faces

Examples of works

Luis de Morales

Madonna and Child

Piety

Last third of the century

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

Use of elongated figures/cool colours & dark tones

Examples of his work

The Burial of the Count of Orgaz

The Disrobing of Christ

The Holy Trinity

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