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Period: 1400 to
Renaissance
A sweeping cultural transformation in Western Europe between the 15th and 16th centuries, marked a shift from the Middle Ages to the onset of the modern era. This period witnessed significant advancements in both natural and human sciences. The cradle of this movement was Florence, Italy, where a profound reshaping occurred, emphasizing humans as the paramount beings in the universe. -
Aug 7, 1420
Florence Cathedral's dome, by Brunelleschi
It is termed as a widespread cultural shift that emerged in Western Europe in the 15th-16th centuries. This era marked a transition from the Middle Ages to the onset of the modern age, witnessing significant advancements in natural and human sciences. The origins of this movement can be traced back to Florence, Italy, where a profound shift occurred in perceiving humans as the focal point in the universe. -
Aug 26, 1498
Pietá, by Michelangelo Buonarroti
Crafted in 1498, the Pietà, translating to "piety" in Spanish, portrays the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus Christ. Its title draws from a Roman Empire custom dating back to 64 AD, signifying the act of prostration. Commissioned by the Cardinal of Saint Denis, Jean Bilhères de Lagraulas, a Benedictine and the French monarch's envoy to the Holy See, the Pietà found its home in St. Peter's Basilica after being relocated in 1749-50. -
1509
The School of Athens, by Raphael Sanzio
Among Raphael Sanzio's remarkable works, one stands out—a painting created between 1510 and 1512 as part of the decorative ensemble in the rooms now recognized as Raphael's Rooms. These rooms are situated in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. The painting, measuring 7.75m at the base and 5m in height, embodies rational truth. Within its depiction of 24 figures, the central focus is on two eminent individuals: Plato and Aristotle. -
Period: Jan 15, 1516 to Sep 13, 1556
The reign of Felipe II
Known as "the Prudent One" for his adept ruling, he held titles as King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, Duke of Milan, Sovereign of the Netherlands, Duke of Burgundy, and, through marriage, King of England and Ireland. Across four marriages with Maria Manuela of Portugal, Mary I of England, Isabella of Valois, and Anne of Austria, he fathered eight sons. Philip's successor was his son Pedro Antonio Vidal, who became Philip III. -
Period: Mar 14, 1516 to Jan 16, 1556
The reign of Carlos I
Charles of Hamburg entered the world unexpectedly during a ball at the "Prince's Palace" in Ghent, Flanders, as his mother, Doña Juana, experienced severe pain, leading to his birth. Charles succumbed to lung disease. During his reign, he undertook significant reforms in administration, spearheaded wars of reconquest, and implemented changes in the royal treasury, among other accomplishments. -
Period: 1520 to Apr 23, 1521
The revolt of the Comuneros in Castilla
The uprising, known as the Comuneros, saw Castilian cities revolt against the rule of Charles I. Sparked by discontent over the king's abuses and his self-proclamation as emperor, it concluded with the defeat and execution of the leaders at the Battle of Villalar. -
Sep 25, 1555
Peace of Augsburg
The Augsburg treaty, inked by Ferdinand I of Habsburg and the Imperial States in Germany, played a pivotal role in settling the Reformation. This agreement effectively split Charles V's empire into Lutheran and Catholic denominations, granting influential Germans the autonomy to select their preferred religious confession within their states. Notably, the reservatum ecclesiasticum stipulated that a prince holding a Catholic office would be required to convert to Lutheranism. -
Period: 1568 to 1571
The rebellion of the Alpujarras.
This conflict in Spain, occurring in Philip II's reign, arose as the Moorish population in the Kingdom of Granada protested the Pragmatic Sanction. Also referred to as the War of the Alpujarras due to its intense fighting, Philip II was deeply disturbed by the rebels' massacres of priests. The aftermath included deaths, enslavement, and sale of individuals into slavery within Spain, with approximately 1500 slaves in Cordova alone. -
Period: May 23, 1568 to
The Eighty Years War
The rebellion against the monarch, which started during Margaret of Parma's governance of the Netherlands, concluded with the acknowledgment of the independence of the seven United Provinces. The Treaty of Munster marked the end of the war and held historical significance for the United Provinces, as it finally secured recognition of their independence from the Spanish crown. The northern provinces of the Netherlands gained independence, and the southern Netherlands stayed under Spanish control. -
Jan 5, 1579
The signment of the Union of Arras
The Arras Agreement, forged in the city of Arras, saw certain southern Netherlands provinces recognizing Philip II's sovereignty amid the Eighty Years' War. Key points of agreement included the expulsion of foreign troops, the establishment of the Council of State with a two-thirds acceptance requirement, reinstatement of pre-rebellion privileges, and the stipulation that Catholicism would be the sole religion. Additionally, three more points were included in the agreement. -
Jan 23, 1579
The signment of the Union of Utretcht
The Treaty of Utrecht, inked in the Dutch city of Utrecht during the Eighty Years' War against the Spanish Monarchy, saw the rebellious northern provinces, led by William of Orange, forming the Union of Utrecht. The signatories included Holland, Zeeland, Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel, parts of the bishopric of Utrecht, the duchy of Gelderland and Brabant, and the county of Flanders. -
The defeat of the Spanish Armada By England
England achieved a historic victory over the Spanish Invincible Armada in the English Channel. English artillery, supported by a sloop attack that dispersed the Armada at Calais, thwarted its escorting of the Spanish army across the channel. The defeat marked one of Spain's significant historical failures, resulting in losses of around 20,000 men, 40 million ducats, and about 100 ships, with only about 66 ships returning home. The English fleet was led by Sir Francis Drake. -
Period: to
Baroque art
Baroque, emerging in the 17th-18th centuries and shaped by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is an artistic style celebrated for its intricate facial expressions, dynamic compositions, and lavish ornamentation. In literature, Baroque emerged as a counterposition to the Renaissance, utilizing sarcasm and irony to navigate feelings of disappointment. The extensive use of literary devices makes interpreting its content challenging, adding layers of complexity to Baroque literature. -
Apollo and Daphne, by Bernini
Crafted by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1622 and 1625, this sculpture, residing in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, is a masterpiece of the Baroque style. Depicting a life-size marble group, it narrates the myth where Apollo and Daphne taunted Eros, leading to Eros shooting them with arrows—one causing love and the other resistance. Daphne, choosing flight over love, was eventually transformed into a laurel tree by her parents. -
Saint Peter's square project by Bernini
Located in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, this square is accessible primarily through the Rione di Borgo to the east of the square. Embracing Baroque architecture, the square is dedicated to a saint with the same name. It consists of two sections—a trapezoid-shaped part and an oval-shaped part. -
The Spinners, by Velázquez
Also known as "The Fable of Arachne," this painting, created in Spain and currently housed in the Museo Nacional del Prado, stands as a notable example of Spanish Baroque art executed in the Oil on Canvas style. Beyond its artistic merits, the painting serves as a cautionary depiction for King Philip IV, highlighting the vices that a wise ruler should steer clear of during their reign. -
Oath of the Horatii, by Jacques-Louis David
Originating before the French Revolution, this artwork follows the Neoclassical style, employing the oil on canvas technique. Housed in the Louvre Museum, it depicts the Roman salute, drawing inspiration from Livy's account of the three Horace brothers who, prior to battling the Curiatii, solemnly swore an oath before their father to defend Rome. -
Carlos IV of Spain and his family, by Francisco de Goya
The family portrait of Philip IV, now housed in the Museo Nacional del Prado, was meticulously created by Goya. Starting with initial sketches, five of which are still preserved, the final rendition was painted between July 1800 and June 1801. Initially part of the collections in the Royal Palace of Madrid, it was later moved to the Prado Museum under King Ferdinand VII's directive. Demonstrating a Neoclassical style, this group portrait is crafted using the Oil on Canvas technique.