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1420
Florence Cathedral's dome, by Brunelleschi
The Duomo was built in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio, but he died in 1301, leaving behind a Gothic style cathedral. In the 14th century, the idea was to cover the transept with a dome. In 1418, a competition was held to choose the project and Brunelleschi was chosen in 1420. The dome was built without wooden scaffolding and with bricks because they were lighter, laying them in a spiral following the Roman rules. And he obtained his fame for the construction of the duomo. -
Period: 1492 to 1517
Renaissance
Was a period of splendor after the Middle Ages in Europe and was distinguished by a new interest in scholarship and classical values. In addition to this, many things were discovered and new continents were explored. The Renaissance was a time of learning and wisdom; such as humanism which had several significant characteristics. Art and arquitecture was very important in this period, being seen as a branch of knowledge, valuable in itself, with artists such as Da Vinci Brunelleschi -
1498
Pietá, by Michelangelo Buonarroti
In 1498 the Cardinal of France arrived in Italy. And ordered MIchelangelo to make him a marble sculpture because the Cardinal wanted to have a prestigious document for his funeral, that would be in the chapel of the kings of France. So, Michelangelo started to create the Virgin looking at the body of her son lying on her knees, making all the details to seem realistic. Michelangelo was inspired by the art of the Alps.But, the Cardinal never saw it because he died before finishing it. -
1509
The school of Athens, by Raphael Sanzio
This is a painting represents all the important mathematicians, philosophers and scientists of all time of 1509, mixing them one room. Raphael Sanzio wanted to represent like if they were sharing and debating their ideas. Also, the walls of the room represents the four branches of knowledge during the Renaissance: theology, literature, justice and philosophy. The main persons in the painting are the 2 philosophers Aristotle and Plato that are located in the centre. And Raphael included himself. -
Period: 1520 to 1521
The revolt of the comuneros in Castilla
The revolt of the comuneros was when Charles I reigned. It was an uprising by interior's comuneros. This event was interpreted as: an anti-seignorial revolt, a bourgeois revolution or an anti-tax movement, beginning with political instability. The arrival of Carlos I from Belgium caused misgivings for fear of losing power and status. In addition, the demands created urban revolts. After the rebellion, comunero leaders were killed, leaving the army in disarray and without any chance of winning. -
Period: 1568 to 1571
The rebellion of Alpujarras
In 1568, the Moriscos were in the Alpujarras and Granada, led by Aben Humeya. Despite their attempts to unite other Moriscos, they were defeated by Christian troops. After resisting in guerrilla's war, the arrival of Don Juan of Austria forced them to quit. Aben Humeya was betrayed and put on trial in Narila. After the defeat, a decree of expulsion to Castile was issued. Despite their resistance, the Moriscos were finally defeated in the Second Morisco War. -
Period: 1568 to
The Eighty Years War
Was between Netherlands and Spain. The war was mainly caused by Philip II's policies in the Netherlands. The war began under the Duke of Alba, who implemented repressive policies. The consequences were the end of the Spanish Empire, the independence of Portugal, war's innovations, the independence of the Netherlands and the Republic. Although peace treaties were signed, religious intolerance continued and affected politics, ending with the establishment of the Republic of the Netherlands. -
The defeat of the Spanish Armada by England
The English raids and support for the Dutch made Felipe II of Spain want to conquer them. The Armada left Lisbon with 130 ships carrying cannons, sailors and soldiers, they were worse armed than the English. The English began to bombard at long range so the Spanish Armada was reduced. A decisive battle took place a little later, the superior English guns won the battle and the devastated Armada was forced to retreat. The Spain ships were wrecked and only 1 survivor reached Spain. England won. -
Period: to
Baroque art
Baroque was an artistic period that originated in Italy. It focused on painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts, and music. The meaning of baroque comes from Portugal: “pearl of irregular shape and used in a derogatory manner.” It is characterized by dramatization and decoration. The style was assimilated by countries during the Counter-Reformation. An important representative of the period was Annibale Carracci. In music, there were genres such as opera and oratorio. -
Apollo & Daphne, by Bernini
Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini presented Apollo and Daphne, the marble work that was a marvel. Bernini, considered a prodigy, had been commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese to create sculptures for the Cardinal's palace. He had realistically depicted the movement, transformation, sexual appetite and terror of the mythological Apollo, god of music and poetry, and Daphne, a virginal nymph. The artist was inspired by Ovid's interpretation, recreating the scene of the transformation. -
Saint Peter's square project by Bernini
When Fabio Chigi became Pope, he elected Gian Lorenzo Bernini to make something in the front area of the basilica. Bernini thought in a wide-open elliptical design to give a faithful and unfaithful welcome and to frighten and convert the infields. He also procured to make sure that all the people were able to see the Pope up on the Basilica. 44,000 cubic meters of travertine stone were used and in the middle of the Square stands an Egyptian obelisk made of red granite. -
The spinners, by Velázquez
The Spinners is a mythological work. It was made for a private patron and is based on a story of Ovid in his Metamorphoses about Athena and Arachne. In the composition, the artist balances two different realms and planes of reality. The foreground depicts women spinning wool. The women are reflecting their work. In the back is a room with elegantly dressed women and the representation of Athena and Arachne. Velázquez uses the nature to create a realistic and attractive composition. -
Period: to
Neoclassical art
Now they wanted their art and architecture to reflect and the same idealized works of the Greeks and Romans and thanks to rediscoveries this period emerged, by diffusion of Greco-Roman works of the past. The main belief of Neoclassicism was that art should express the ideal virtues of life and could improve the viewer by imparting a moralized message opposing the Rococo and Baroque. This art was based on the principles of simplicity, symmetry and mathematics. Influencing Renaissance classicism -
Oath of the Horatii, by Jacques-Louis David
The Oath of the Horatii by French artist Jacques-Louis David depicts the story of Livio, exactly when men chose political ideals. During his tumultuous time he asks the public to see these men as role models. He traveled to Rome to see the original architecture to make it as realistic and idealistic as possible.
He is the greatest painter of political propaganda in history. -
Carlos IV of Spain and his family, by Francisco de Goya
The King ordered the family portrait to Goya and in there, a family dressed with luxurious and shiny clothes. Although the artist's naturalism casts a shadow on every character. At the center stands Queen Maria Luisa, both for her role in politics and her rumored relationship with Manuel Godoy. While some may interpret the painting as irony, it relates a strong monarchy. A self-portrait of Goya is in the shadows homage to Velázquez. Goya's portrait embodies royal authority at a troubled moment.