SPANISH CULTURE IN THE 16TH CENTURY
GREATLY INFLUENCED BY THE COUNTER-REFORMATION
to prevent the spread of Protestants beliefs across Iberian Peninsula
Felipe II impeded access to its doctrines
Spaniards were not allowed to study in other countries
Books printed outside the Peninsula were not allowed into the country.
Science progressed slowly
New ideas and discoveries reached late the Iberian Peninsula
Religion played a fundamental role in all works of art
LITERATURE
ART
ARCHITECTURE
SCULPTURES 
PAINTING
most famous religious authors
mystics who 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 
attributed to Fernando de Rojas
Unknown author
most important poet
Garcilaso de la Vega
The church and the monarchy used art to spread their
ideas
values
most important works of art
depictions of religious themes and portraits
Two styles in the Spanish Renaissance
Classicist
Mannerist
Harmony and serenity
influenced by
Italian art
Flemish painting
NOT portrayed
mythological themes
nudes
dominated in the second half of the century
Works
expressive
dramatic quality
Counter-Reformation wished to
evoke intense feelings in its followers
strengthen their religious beliefs
In the first third of the 16th century
Plateresque style
ornate facades
similar to the work that silversmiths produced at that time
Examples
the facade of Salamanca University
San Marcos Hospital in León
Santo Domingo Cathedral
first one on the American continent (island Hispaniola)
In the second third of the 16th century
Classicist or Purist style
architectural characteristics of the Italian Renaissance
decoration was reduced
classical elements were accentuated such as
columns
pediments
Examples
The Palace of Carlos V in the Alhambra in Granada
by Pedro Machuca
Granada Cathedral
Diego de Siloé
Jaén Cathedral and El Salvador Church in Úbeda
Andrés de Vandelvira
The facade of the Alcázar and the Bisagra Gate in Toledo
by Alonso de Covarrubias.
In the last third of the 16th century
The Herrerian style 
austere decoration
geometric spaces
It comes from the architects name
Juan Herrera
constructed the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Felipe commissioned this building to commemorate
his victory at the Battle of Saint Quentin
which was built in a massive scale
Consists of
a palace
a monastery with a church
a pantheon
which was designed to reflect the greatness of Felipe II's empire
Most important sculptures in the Classicist style
those made by
Italians Leoni Leoni and his son Pompeo Leoni
Carlos V's and Felipe II's cenotaphs
Bronze sculptures on the altarpiece
of the Basilica of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
the sculpture of Carlos V and the Wrath
Mannerism
more expressive faces
evoke intense feelings to reflect the dramatic situations
in some of the passages of the Bible
religious imagery
painted on wooden carvings and altarpieces
sculptures or paintings which decorated the altar
Main artists
Alonso Berruguete
The Sacrifice of Isaac
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian
Juan de Juni
The Entombment of Christ
The Virgen of Anguish
The most important Spanish Renaissance paintings
those made by Juan de Juanes
Ecce Homo
The Last Supper
the idealism is similar to Raphael's works
The Italian Titian
main portrait artist from the Venetian school
Carlos V's court painter
his works
Carlos V at the Battle of Mülberg
Isabella of Portugal
Felipe II's portrait painters.
Alonso Sánchez Coello
Juan Pantoja de Cruz
From the middle of the century onwards
use of elongated figures with dramatic expressions on their faces
influenced by
Michael Angelo
Mannerism
Examples
works by Luis de Morales
Madonna and Child
Piety
In the last third of the century
most important artist was El Greco
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
dark tones
Examples of his work
The Burial of the Count of Orgaz
The Disrobing of Christ
The Holy Trinity 