The Spanish Renaissance

The Spanish Renaissance was during the 16th century and combined Christian with Moorish art. When they Moors finally left Spain in 1607 the production of handicrafts and commerce in southern Spain decreased. Design during this period was influenced by the Early Christians, Medieval, Moorish, and Italian Renaissance (which also influenced the French Renaissance as well). The Moors came from Africa and this group of people had some of the world's greatest geometricians. They incorporated colorful and fancy pieces into their design, they were expert wood workers, and incredible ornamentalists. The Mudejars were a group of Moors that converted to Christianity and became a part of the Spanish Christians.
La Alhambra:

• located in Granada, Spain
• built in 1354 
• last Spanish palace completes before expulsion of Moors
• plain exterior
• numerous courtyards, gardens, fountains, and reflecting pools

La Mota Castle:

• located in Medina de Campo
• built in 15th century by noble christian families
• concrete structure faces with brick

Granada Cathedral:

• 5 aisle building w/ Gothic vaulting and columns

Cathedral de Seville: 

• located in Andalusia, Spain
• largest cathedral of 15th century (larger than the Haggia Sophia)
• demonstrated wealth of city
• held 500+ daily masses

Plateresco phase:

• gothic/renaissance in construction
• delicate ornaments that resemble work of silversmith
• used on exteriors, patios, cures, public buildings, furniture, accessories

Desornamentado phase:

• unornamented designs
• characterized by austerity
• exhibited carefully defined proportions
• applied to courts, ecclesiastical and public buildings

Escorial:

• started by Phillip II in 1562 and completed by Juan de Herrara
• imitation of Temple of Solomon 
• included palace and religious house
• royal place for monarchy
• known for simplicity, sobriety, and plainness

Herrera Architecture:

• named after architect Juan de Herrera
• influenced by Italian renaissance architects like Palladio
• classic forms, plain surfaces, and sparse decorations
• horizontal unified compositions
• nude use of granite

Baroque style of churrugeresco:

• replaced desornamentado with something more passionate
• promoted by a family of craftsmen named Churriguera
• composed of sculptures, wood carvers, and architects
• surface decoration was applied to exterior doorways, interior decorations, and churches
• motifs were natural objects
• classical orders were used in unconvetional ways

Residential design

• influenced by Moorish design
• many modest rural houses were built
• decorations in patios, galleries, doorways, and windows were elaborate and contrasted plain walls
• most artistic features were iron grilles on windows and openings
• colored tiles and painted/carved ceilings

Furniture:

• characteristics: simplicity, boldness, heavy proportions, rectangular shapes, repetitive panels that create a pattern, walnut wood, silver used for ornamentation
• most was pushed against walls
• limited number of pieces
• chairs, stools, benches, tables, chests, beds, cupboards, vagueness

Past Examples:

Current Examples:

Extra Credit:

This is a tour of La Alhambra:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEseJViidy8

This is a tour of Cathedral Seville:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il-WgOQj-RY

Peer Review:

Angie: You did a really nice job covering the period in a concise and easy to read way. I also like the diversity in your images.

Becca: I really enjoyed your blog and loved all of the images you provided. While words do a great job describing a style and space, a picture really is worth a million words.