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This page is about the Spanish Renaissance of the 15th–16th centuries. For the earlier Renaissance in Spain, see Renaissance of the 12th century.
Valladolid Santa Cruz 20080
Santa Cruz Palace (1486–1491) in Valladolid is thought to be the first Spanish Renaissance building still standing.

The Spanish Renaissance was a period in Spain when new ideas in art, literature, and science became popular. It started in Italy in the 1300s and came to Spain in the 1400s and 1500s. This movement was inspired by the ancient Greek and Roman cultures.

Several big events in 1492 helped the Renaissance grow in Spain:

  • Spain became one Christian kingdom after taking Granada, the last Muslim-controlled area. Sadly, many Muslim and Jewish people were forced to leave Spain.
  • Christopher Columbus officially discovered the Americas.
  • The first grammar book for the Spanish language, called Gramática, was published by Antonio de Nebrija.

How the Spanish Renaissance Began

Isabel de castilla
Image of Isabella I of Castile in the Rimado de la Conquista de Granada

The start of the Renaissance in Spain is closely tied to the rule of the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. They were the first to move away from older medieval ways. In the past, kings were often weak, and powerful nobles caused trouble.

The Catholic Monarchs brought together the country's power. They also made alliances with important noble families to keep their control. One family, the Mendoza, used the new Renaissance style to show their importance and their support for the monarchy.

Over time, this new artistic style spread to the royal court and the Church. It mixed with Spanish styles, like the art from the kingdom of Granada and the unique Gothic style of Castile. It also blended with Flemish art, which was popular in official court and Church paintings. This mix of styles created a special Spanish Renaissance look called Plateresque.

Artists from Italy came to Spain, and Spanish students went to Italy to learn. They brought back designs, building plans, books, and paintings. Spanish artists then copied these ideas, including portraits, themes, and how to arrange a scene.

King Charles I (who was also Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire) really liked this new art, which was sometimes called "the old way" because it looked back to ancient times. He supported many artists directly. For example, he commissioned works from Titian, a famous Italian painter, though Titian never moved to Spain.

Other talented painters, not always close to the royal court, included Pedro Berruguete, Juan de Juanes, and Paolo da San Leocadio. One beautiful painting is the Virgin of the Caballero de Montesa by Paolo da San Leocadio.

Painting and Sculpture in the Spanish Renaissance

Self-portrait by Diego Velázquez
Diego Velázquez, a famous Spanish painter.
El caballero de la mano en el pecho, by El Greco, from Prado in Google Earth
The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest by El Greco.

Spanish Renaissance paintings were usually made with oil paints. Artists created indoor scenes that followed the rules of perspective, making them look realistic. People in the paintings were all the same size and looked anatomically correct.

Colors and shading were used in different tones, following Italian methods. To make the paintings feel even more Italian, artists often added elements copied directly from Italian art. These included a candelieri decorations (borders with plants and small angels) or Roman ruins in the backgrounds, even in scenes about the life of Christ.

Famous Painters

Key Paintings

Important Sculptors

Architecture in the Spanish Renaissance

Vista aerea del Monasterio de El Escorial
The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial, designed by Herrera and Juan Bautista de Toledo.

Spanish Renaissance architecture often mixed traditional Spanish styles with new ideas from Italy. Buildings became grander and more balanced.

Key Architects

Literature of the Spanish Renaissance

Main article: Spanish Renaissance literature
See also: Spanish Golden Age § Literature
Lazarillo de Tormes
The front page of Vida del Lazarillo de Tormes, de sus fortunas y adversidades, published in 1554.

The Renaissance brought many new ideas to Spanish literature, including poetry, plays, and novels. Writers explored human feelings and experiences.

Music in the Spanish Renaissance

Francisco de Salinas
Francisco de Salinas, a music theorist.

Music also flourished during the Spanish Renaissance, with many composers creating beautiful works for voices and instruments.

Science and Learning

The Renaissance was a time of new discoveries and ideas in science and learning.

  • Miguel Servet
  • School of Salamanca (a group of scholars who studied law, economics, and theology)
  • Jerónimo Muñoz
  • Fernán Pérez de Oliva

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Renacimiento español para niños

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