Artistic Circulation between Early Modern Spain and Italy

The collection of essays explores the cultural intersections between Italy and Spain during the early modern period, examining the exchange of ideas, iconographies, and styles through various means of exchange and convergence, including humans and objects. It provides a more nuanced understanding of the exchanges of styles, forms, and ideals across southern Europe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Italy and Spain during the early modern period experienced a significant confluence of cultural ideals due to the rich intersections between the two regions. This collection of essays by major scholars explores the various means of exchange and convergence that occurred through two main catalysts: humans and objects. The visual and textual evidence of the transmission of ideas, iconographies, and styles is examined, including triumphal ephemera, treatises on painting, the social status of the artist, collections and their display, church decoration, and funerary monuments. This provides a more nuanced understanding of the exchanges of styles, forms, and ideals across southern Europe.

One of the key catalysts for exchange and convergence was the movement of people between Italy and Spain. This movement was driven by a variety of factors, including political instability, economic opportunities, and religious persecution. Many Italians and Spaniards traveled to the other country in search of better opportunities, and this led to the exchange of ideas, technologies, and cultural practices.

Objects also played a significant role in the exchange and convergence of cultural ideals. Books, paintings, sculptures, and prints were all traded between Italy and Spain, and these objects often reflected the cultural values of the respective regions. For example, Italian paintings often featured religious themes, while Spanish paintings often featured landscapes and portraits.

The visual and textual evidence of the transmission of ideas, iconographies, and styles is examined in this collection of essays. Triumphal ephemera, such as banners and flags, were used to celebrate victories and important events, and these ephemera often reflected the cultural values of the respective regions. Treatises on painting, such as those by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, provided detailed instructions on how to create paintings, and these treatises often reflected the cultural values of the respective regions.

The social status of the artist was also a significant factor in the exchange and convergence of cultural ideals. In Italy, artists were often considered to be members of the upper class, and they were often given access to the best materials and training. In Spain, artists were often considered to be members of the lower class, and they were often given access to the best materials and training. This led to the development of different styles of art in the two regions.

Collections and their display were also a significant factor in the exchange and convergence of cultural ideals. In Italy, museums and galleries were often used to display art, and these collections often reflected the cultural values of the respective regions. In Spain, churches were often used to display art, and these collections often reflected the cultural values of the respective regions.

Church decoration was also a significant factor in the exchange and convergence of cultural ideals. In Italy, churches were often decorated with religious imagery, while in Spain, churches were often decorated with secular imagery. This led to the development of different styles of church decoration in the two regions.

Funerary monuments were also a significant factor in the exchange and convergence of cultural ideals. In Italy, funerary monuments were often designed to reflect the cultural values of the deceased, while in Spain, funerary monuments were often designed to reflect the cultural values of the community. This led to the development of different styles of funerary monuments in the two regions.

In conclusion, the rich intersections between Italy and Spain during the early modern period resulted in a confluence of cultural ideals. The movement of people between the two regions, the exchange of objects, the visual and textual evidence of the transmission of ideas, iconographies, and styles, the social status of the artist, collections and their display, church decoration, and funerary monuments all played a significant role in this exchange and convergence. This collection of essays provides a more nuanced understanding of the exchanges of styles, forms, and ideals across southern Europe.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032337128