Pre-Romanesque Art in Spain: Visigothic and Asturian Styles
Pre-Romanesque Art in Spain: Visigothic and Asturian Periods
Visigothic Art (5th-8th Centuries)
Visigothic art in Spain, while influenced by Roman traditions, developed its own unique characteristics. One notable feature is its coarseness, a deliberate aesthetic choice. A defining element of Visigothic architecture is the horseshoe arch, an arch resembling a circle with approximately one-third removed. This arch, likely of Eastern origin, was employed extensively in their constructions.
Key examples
Read MoreMedieval and Renaissance Poetry: Chanson de Geste, Ballads, and Mester de Clerecía
The Chanson de Geste
The earliest forms of European literature include epic poems in Romance languages. These epics narrate the exploits of medieval knights, elevating them to the status of heroes. These poems were widely accepted and recited by minstrels (juglares). The profession of minstrelsy is known as mester de juglaría.
Features of Chansons de Geste
- Meter: Irregular series of verses with assonance rhyme.
- Directness: The narrator gives voice to the characters through direct speech.
- Realism: To
Hellenistic and Roman Art and Architecture
Hellenistic Period
The Hellenistic period refers to the time between the death of Alexander the Great and the annexation of Egypt to the Roman Empire. It is a new civilization in which Greek elements are combined with Oriental ones. The main centers were major cities, with a hypodamic plan. Architectural characteristics include multi-story buildings, giant columns, and overlapping orders (1st Ionic, 2nd Corinthian). Large Hellenistic art creations were sculpted.
- Athens: Overwhelmed by the economic
Antonio Machado: Life and Works of a Spanish Poet
Antonio Machado: A Spanish Literary Icon
Antonio Machado Ruiz (Seville, 26 July 1875 – Collioure, France, 22 February 1939) was a Spanish poet, a late member of the Generation of ’98. His early work often enrolled in the literary movement called Modernism. He was one of the most representative of the so-called Generation of ’98.
Early Works: Solitudes and Personal Voice
His poetry began with Solitudes (1903), which was written between 1899 and 1902. In this short amount, many personal traits that characterize
Read MoreSpanish Literature: 15th and 16th Century Evolution
Origins Narrative
First written in the reign of Fernando II, stories such as Kalila and Sendebar Edimna.
Alfonso X
Encouraged the use of Castilian as a union between cultures.
Topics: Law, science, games, entertainment, and heritage.
Style: Pay attention to syntax (create word derivatives) and lexicon (need conjunctions).
15th Century
The Autumn of the Middle Ages, or Pre-Renaissance, begins a shift in thinking.
Historical Account
- Nobility feeds rebellions.
- Marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of
The Poem of the Cid: Summary and Historical Context
The Poem of the Cid: A Medieval Epic
Historical Context
Much has been written about the date and composition of the Poem of the Cid. However, some facts are now clear:
- The date on the codex is 1245 of the Hispanic Era, which corresponds to the year 1207.
- The current manuscript, from the 14th century, maintains the date of the original copy: 1207. Although Menéndez Pidal proposed 1140 as a possible year of original composition, the only certain date is that of the manuscript – 1245 of the Hispanic Era,