Italian and Spanish Renaissance Art
1. Renaissance Architecture in Italy
Early Renaissance (Quattrocento)
a) Filippo Brunelleschi
Brunelleschi spearheaded an artistic revolution in architecture. Inspired by antiquity, his masterpieces include the Dome of Florence Cathedral, the Hospital of the Innocents, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, and the Basilica of the Holy Spirit.
- Dome of Florence Cathedral: A technical marvel, the dome’s pointed profile rests on an octagonal drum. Its construction, reminiscent of the Pantheon, involved two caps
The Liberal State and Restoration in 19th Century Spain
The Liberal State in 19th Century Spain
Political and Economic Changes
Following the death of Fernando VII in 1833, Spain underwent significant transformations at varying paces. New systems of governance were established, marking a shift towards a more liberal political landscape. However, industrialization progressed slowly and unevenly across the country.
Social and Cultural Developments
Socially, a small landowning minority continued to exploit a large peasant population. Culturally, literature and
Read MoreCánovas del Castillo & His Political Thought: Restoration in Spain
Cánovas and His Political Thought: Restoration in Spain
Cánovas’ ideas reflect pragmatism and eclecticism. He meticulously prepared for the Restoration:
1. The Abdication of Isabella II (1870)
Alfonso XII, son of Isabella II, became the ideal candidate to occupy the throne after his mother’s abdication. Cánovas recognized the need for a candidate detached from the past to quell the prevailing spirit of revenge and desire to dismantle the work of the 1868 revolution. He convinced Isabella II to abdicate
Read MoreThe Restoration in Spain (1874-1923)
The Restoration in Spain (1874-1923)
The Restoration is a key period in contemporary Spanish history. It signifies the return of the Bourbon dynasty after the Revolutionary Sexenio, closing the democratic stage initiated by the Glorious Revolution and ushering in a long period characterized by relative political stability. Chronologically, it extends from the Pronouncement of Martínez Campos in Sagunto on December 29, 1874, where Alfonso XII was proclaimed King of Spain, until the dictatorship of
Read MoreThe Spanish Revolution of 1808 and the Constitution of 1812
The Crisis of 1808 and the Dawn of Revolution
International and National Context
At the international level, the French Revolution’s influence created a crisis of the Ancien Régime, spreading Enlightenment and bourgeois ideals to America. Nationally, the Bayonne abdication triggered a power vacuum and the collapse of the Spanish monarchy. While the Bourbons ordered obedience to Joseph I, many Spaniards refused, viewing him as illegitimate. Local boards organized insurrections, forming provincial
Read MoreThe French Revolution and its Aftermath: A Timeline of Upheaval
Causes of the French Revolution
The diffusion of Enlightenment ideals (liberty, equality, national sovereignty) led the middle class to seek an end to absolutism and the privileges of the nobility and clergy. Successive bad harvests and competition with British industry brought hunger, increased tax burdens, and discontent among farmers, traders, and artisans. Excessive state spending on war and the court led to royal bankruptcy.
The Estates-General
What were the Estates-General?
An assembly of representatives
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