Spanish Renaissance and El Greco

Spanish RenaissanceArchitecture

1. Plateresque styleIt’s called like that because of the extremely

decorated facades, which remind the decorative motifs of the silversmiths’ work.

PLATERESQUE STYLE: Salamanca university facade

Shields

Shells

Human and vegetable ornaments

Catholic Monarchs

PLATERESQUE STYLE: Seville Town HallDIEGO DE RIAÑO

2. Classical styleThe decoration decreases and the influence of

Italian Renaissance is more important

CLASSICISM: Palace of Charles the 5th in GrenadePEDRO MACHUCA

A circle inside a square

Cathedral of GrenadeDIEGO DE SILOÉ

3. Herrerian styleThe decoration disappears. Naked buildings

The Escorial (Madrid)JUAN BAUTISTA DE TOLEDO Y JUAN DE HERRERA

Historical residence of the king of SpainIt was a monastery and royal palace

The Escorial: main facade

The library

Renaissance painting: El Greco

LIFE AND CHARACTERISTICS• His real name was Doménikos Theotokóupolos.• El Greco (The Greek) was a nickname, a reference to

his Greek origin.• He was an important architect, painter and sculptor. • He was born in Crete in 1541. At 26 years old he

travelled to Venice, and in 1570 he moved to Rome, where he opened a workshop.

• Seven years later, he moved to Toledo, in Spain, where he lived and work until his death. In Toledo he produced his most famous paintings.

• He wanted to work with the King Philip the 2nd, but he couldn’t reach his dream. The King didn´t like his style.

• He gave much importance to the colours and liked to elongate the figures. His style was really original.

• He died in 1614

• It represents the moment before he Crucifixion.

• Christ looks up to Heaven with an expression of serenity. There are a lot of people surrounding him.

• His red robe symbolizes the sacrifice he’s going to do to save the Humanity.

The Expolio, Cathedral of Toledo

• It represents a legend of the beginning of the 14th century: the count of Orgaz was a very generous man, and because of that, when he died, Saint Stephen (Esteban) and Saint Agustine (Agustín) descended in person from the heavens and buried him by their own hands.

The burial of the Count of Orgaz

The burial of the Count of Orgaz

Upper zoneHeaven (Paradise) with Christ, the Virgin, Saint Joan and other saints.

Lower zoneThe burial of the Count with Saint Stephen, Saint Agustine and the people present at the ceremony.

The painting is divided into two zones:

Two monks Count of Orgaz

Saint Stephen Saint AgustineEl Greco’s son

Self-portrait

Christ, the Virgin, Saint Joan and the angel form an ovalSaint Peter

The angel holds in his hands the soul of the Count to take it to the Paradise.

The resurrection

Elongated figures

The adoration of the shepherds

The Holy Trinity

Christ

The Virgin

The knight with his hand on his breast

View of Toledo

THE END