José Luis Rodríguez “El Puma”: Biography and Career
José Luis Rodríguez González: Biography
Early Life and Family
José Luis Rodríguez González, known artistically as El Puma, was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 14, 1943. His father, a businessman, passed away when José Luis was only six years old. He is the youngest of eleven children. Due to political reasons, his mother, Ana Rodríguez González, was forced into exile in Guayaquil, Ecuador, for two years. He has three daughters who are actresses: Lilibeth Morillo Rodríguez, Liliana
Read MoreSpanish Renaissance Literature: Humanism and Poetry
Humanism and Renaissance in Spain
Humanism: A School of Thought
Humanism was based on the “studia humanitatis,” which emphasized learning classical Latin, as it allowed direct access to the works of ancient authors. Reading these works led to imitation in the writing of poetry. In their humanistic nature, works are excited and pleased to show an optimistic and confident vision of the world.
Spain’s Collection (15th-16th Centuries)
Spain gave importance to humanistic principles. The work of Cardinal
Read MoreFrancisco de Goya: Art Through the Ages
Neoclassicism (1750-1830)
The surge of Neoclassicism coincided with the Enlightenment and enlightened absolutism, continuing through the French Revolution (1789-95), the Napoleonic empire, and the Restoration. This era significantly changed life, history, and thought. Art became a tool for the enlightened bourgeoisie, guided by reason and the state, against the old political and ideological regime.
From 1785, with Jacques-Louis David’s “The Oath of the Horatii,” a new aesthetic emerged, reflecting
Read MoreBaroque and Neoclassicism in Arts: Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting
Baroque Art
Architecture
Exuberance (decorative excess). Living plants and cajón. The transept tends to be small or disappear. A single ship. First Stage: Dim Baroque, the influence of Juan de Herrera. Wood and gypsum (poor materials). Encamonada vault: wood covered with plaster. Juan Gómez de Mora (clergy of Salamanca, Plaza Mayor, Casa de la Panadería, Madrid City Council) and Toledo, Altarpiece Clerecía (zigzag broken line, spiral columns). Second Stage: Outside Baroque, plane stipes (inverted
Read MoreHistory of Spanish Music: From Zarzuela to Modernism
History of Spanish Music
Early Influences
Mario Cristiano influenced by Italian and traditional Spanish music. The reaction against foreign influences led to the decline of Spanish opera and the rise of the zarzuela, a uniquely Spanish genre.
The Zarzuela’s Emergence
The failure of Spanish opera allowed the zarzuela to flourish. Initially a light, theatrical genre, it evolved, incorporating elements of Italian opera by 1850. By 1880, shorter, sketch-like zarzuelas became popular, featuring alternating
Read MoreMusic in the Renaissance (1450-1600): An Overview
Music in the Renaissance (1450-1600)
Introduction
The Renaissance (1450-1600) was a period of significant historical and cultural change in Europe. The 15th century witnessed the rise of mercantilism and the decline of feudalism. Politically, there were clashes between feudal lords and royalty, who sought to unify their realms and allied themselves with the emerging bourgeoisie. The modern city-state acquired outstanding importance in social life.
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 led to an influx
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