Spanish Renaissance

     Emerging from the Italian renaissance of the 14th century, the spread to Spain came about in the 15th and 16th centuries. The 1490's is roughly the year of the beginning of the Spanish Renaissance.

     The beginning of the Renaissance is linked to the historical political life of the Catholic Monarchs within Spain. They were among the first to leave the Medieval ways. King Charles I was fond of the new art and became a direct patron toward many new Renaissance artists of the time.

     Renaissance paintings were commonly oil and images of interiors were portrayed according to the laws of perspective.

Architectural Styles

     As a result of humanism and the revival of Classical architecture, the evolving styles of Florence, Rome, and Italy made their way to Spain. The style was spread by local architects, and the influence of South Italy was mixed with Gothic traditions and local design. A new style called Plateresque was born. The intricately decorated facades on these new Renaissance structures reminded people of the work of silversmiths or "Plateros" of the time. Although the Plateresco style is often seen and spoken about, an almost completely opposite and muted style called Purism had also emerged. This style of architecture included extremely plain and naked designs focused on overall geometric and mathematical perfection in structure.

Great works of great architects...

• El Escorial - Historical residence of the King of Spain in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial located roughly 30 miles northwest of Madrid. This site acts as a royal palace, monastery, school, and a museum. King Philip II of Spain appointed Juan Bautista de Toledo as architect in 1559, and together they designed El Escorial as a monument of Spain's Christianity. Groundbreaking began in 1563, unfortunately Juan Bautista did not live to see the completion with his death in 1567. The project was then passed down to his apprentice, Juan de Herrera. The structure was completed in 1584, less than 21 years in total construction time. 

• The floor plan of the entire structure is in the form of a gridirion due to the popular belief that St. Lawrence was martyred by being burned to death on a grill in third century A.D.. However, this grid-like interior was commonplace for large palaces and structures of the time. Another persuasive theory on the design of the layout was that it was formed  and extensively modified off of the Temple of Solomon in ancient Jerusalem. Intersecting passageways, corridors, and courtyards show the intricacy of the overall layout design. 

• El Escorial was mainly constructed from locally quarried gray granite. Beautiful works of art are dispersed throughout the entire complex. Many artists were commissioned to complete projects within the building. 

      

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