Spanish Renaissance

 With much influence from the Moorish, Early Christian, and Italian Renaissance the Spanish Renaissance was a culmination of beautiful design and culture. One of the most well know examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture and interior design is the Alhambra located in Granada, Spain. This building was constructed in 1354 and was the last Spanish palace prior to an elimination of the Moors. This building created quite a shock as the plain exterior does not give way to the beautifully decorated interior of the space. Moorish design was seen overtaking the interior as much as it did the exterior architecture. Elements of nature helped to connect this building with its environment, featuring courtyards, gardens, and water features. The lush gardens surrounding bring out the interior design, as a multitude of colors are seen decorating the interior. Inside there are many different mosaic tiles used, creating varying and unique patterns that offer a different feeling as you make your way through the space. Arches are another key feature to this space, as a mis of pointed and curved arches are often layered with one another. 

As seen in the image to the left, the sheer amount of detail work etched along the walls and ceilings truly create a space that feels like no other. using muted colors for such heavy detail, lets the craftsmanship speak for itself. 

Another iconic building that shows how impactful the Spanish Renaissance was is, the Cathedral of Seville. This is one of my personal favorite cathedrals for the study tour, with such a simply beautiful design. At the time this was constructed, this cathedral was the largest in the world and showcased a Gothic design. Being a large cathedral it hold 80 chapels and is able to offer hundreds of services on a daily basis. The inspiration from the Italian Renaissance can be seen in the vaulted ceiling, and the segmented pieces that feature rose windows. Vaulted ceiling overtake the space and create a grand feeling with the height achieved throughout. 


Another way the height is emphasized is through the use of lightness and darkness. The darker heavier colors are placed on the floor and the columns but, the vaulted ceiling is lighter and appears to be glowing. This helps to draw the eye upward and lets you take in the sheer size of the cathedral. Decorative iron grilles are used within the space to help create different and distinct areas of the cathedral. This also creates a central focus during mass, as you are facing towards these grilles. The section I was able to attend mass at had the choir located behind the grilles, as Gothic styles cathedrals liked to separate various areas. This also created a heavenly feeling in the space with the choir being hidden and having their voices carry throughout the space. 









Modern Applications


Baroque homes began to feature wrought iron fences and railings, adding a more industrial look to a space. Now we see iron railings being used to suit several different styles of design. In the image to the right, a more delicate and modern example shows how this material can be light and airy. However, in farmhouse style homes we can see this same material give a rustic and aged feeling, and holds more visual weight. 



Tile pictures also became a staple feature of Baroque homes, and this is a detail that has recently begun to make a comeback. Often seen showcased in bathroom, this adds the feeling of wall art to a space that may not be suited to have hanging artwork. Showers are a great place to showcase this type of design, as it adds an elevated feeling and look to the space. 



Decorative nail heads in furniture saw an emergence during this time period, and is still heavily seen in modern furniture. Sofas and headboards seem to be the most common pieces of furniture that have this decorative feature, as it adds another texture into the mix. It creates a visually interesting contrast between the fabric and the metal material. Especially in the image to the right, the material and the colors contrast to create a piece that has more personality. 

Comments

  1. Professor VanderNoordaaOctober 22, 2023 at 9:04 AM

    Meaghan,
    I appreciate this Blog Post in so many ways. I love to hear about your experience on the study tour.
    The cathedral of Seville and the Alhambra were perfect examples and showcase the very beautiful and detailed design of this period. The Moorish design that carried over to the exterior and landscaping was exquisite. The contemporary examples you shared with us were perfect. 50/50 Total Points

    ReplyDelete

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