Spanish Renaissance Architecture
The Renaissance arrived in Spain in the sixteenth century. At first, it was confined to foreign decorative elements, especially from northern Italy (grotesques, decoration “to candelieri”, trophies, etc.).
Plateresque (First Third of the 15th Century)
- The most common arch is the half-point arch. In the spandrels of the arches, medallions with classic or fancy heads are usually used.
- The key vaults are highly decorated.
- The decorative motifs are Quattrocento: padded balustraded columns with Corinthian or composite capitals covered with tiny pillars, grotesque decoration, and “candelieri”. Buildings are topped with battlements. The decor is very abundant and focuses on concrete structures, and proportions are still decorated in the Gothic style, with some new additions.
Plateresque Works
The Castilian city of Salamanca is the richest in Plateresque monuments. The small, rich decoration of its facade is highlighted by the quality of the stone itself in the area.
- The House of Shells (Salamanca).
- Facade of the University (Salamanca).
- Convento de San Esteban (Salamanca) – Work of the architect Juan de Álava.
Purism (Second Third of the 16th Century)
The architect Bramante adopted elements of the early Italian Cinquecento.
The architecture evolves, simplifying the decorative elements. The architects are concerned with architectural issues, structures, and proportions.
- Renaissance vaults are used properly. The most commonly used are barrel vaults with coffers, domes, and groin vaults.
- The half-point arch is used.
- The facade decoration increases in volume and decreases in length.
- The overall effect of buildings is of severe monumentality, simplicity, and balance.
Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón (Castilian School)
He worked mainly in Salamanca.
- Palace of Monterrey (Salamanca).
- Facade of the University of Alcalá De Henares.
Alonso Covarrubias (Castilian School)
Started with the Plateresque style but evolved. He did his work mainly in Toledo.
- New Gate of Bisagra (Toledo).
- Hospital de Tavera (or Afuera) (Toledo).
Diego of Siloam (Andalusian School)
Siloam’s son was born in Burgos, but he went to Granada.
- The Cathedral of Granada.
Pedro Machuca (Andalusian School)
The architect and painter was trained in Italy. He worked in Granada.
- Palace of Charles V in the Alhambra in Granada.
Herrerian Style (Last Third of the 16th Century)
Matches the reign of Philip II.
The characteristics are:
- Geometric stiffness.
- The roofs are made of wood covered with slate outdoors.
- Decorative nudity.
- All the classic elements are used properly.
The Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
One of the best buildings in our art history. Its construction was ordered by King Philip II in 1563 to commemorate the victory at the Battle of San Quentin.
Felipe II commissioned the project to Juan Bautista de Toledo, who died in 1567 when the work was just beginning. Philip then chose Juan de Herrera.
The rectangular-shaped plant has four towers at the corners. In the center are the church, the palace, and the monastery. The building is organized around patios. The plant is organized based on geometrically perfect square or rectangular modules.
- Outside, the building is extremely austere: The central zone, which is the entrance gateway, is structured in two parts: a rectangle and a square with a pediment. The columns are of immense proportions, using overlapping orders.
- The Courtyard of the Evangelists. It has a central shrine inspired by San Pietro in Montorio, Bramante.
- The Court of the Kings has a rectangular structure. At the front is the entrance of the basilica and a second rectangular body topped by a broken pediment arch.
- The Basilica. It has a Greek cross plan with a dome in the center.
In addition to El Escorial, Juan de Herrera made:
- The Cathedral of Valladolid.