16th century art Spanish and Portuguese 16th century art

Art of Portugal and Spain

The young kingdom of Spain, which arose through the marriage of Ferdinand of Arragon and Isabella of Castile, reached under Karl V (Carlos I) (1516–1556) the summit of world power, with which, however, it began to descend under Philip II (1556–1596). In the artistic life of Spain in the continuation of the XVI century, with the gradual ousting of the Gothic, Moorish and Flemish elements, that Spanish-Italian alliance emerged, from which the national Spanish art grew. The 16th century, when the poetry of Spain reached its most beautiful heyday, was for its visual arts only a time of searching, preparation, and gathering; but at this time there is no shortage of excellent, if only in artistic and historical respect, important architects, sculptors and painters; for their creations, at first timidly, but gradually, that Spanish folk soul rises ever clearer, in which fanatical religious animation and fiery loyalty to nature are almost equivalent.

The art of Portugal, which in fifty years and more than fifty years became a Spanish province, developed in parallel ways. But the fact that in Spain is the morning dawn of the great national art in Portugal gives the impression of only a vain desire for an independent rise. The Spanish architecture of this time clearly appears to us in the light of the excellent new studies by Caved and, in addition, the various works of Karl Justi, the writings of Junggendel and Gurlitt, Ude and Schubert with excellent drawings and systematic execution.