Hispanic Visual Cultures of the Early Modern Period
- Course Code
- HARC 0702
- Course Type
- Tutorials
- Subject Credit
- Course Availability
The early modern period in Spain is often referred to as ‘Siglo de Oro’, the Golden Age. However, early moderns perceived themselves rather to be living in an ‘iron age’, as opposed to the classical period. Perception and deception (desengaño) are some of the most popular themes of the period, one that gave birth to Las Meninas and Don Quijote but also coincided with economic decline. It also coincided with the Spanish Empire. This was a colonial empire, one of the largest ever created. The aim is to introduce students to Hispanic art within broad cultural themes and case-studies including Power (Habsburg monarchs, Popes and preachers), Gender (from infantas to the Virgin Mary, to bearded ladies and their emasculated husbands and the case of the female sculptor Luisa Roldán), and Devotion (notably, the influence of the Counter-Reformation on images).
The course is object-led and will encourage first-hand study of works of art with a trip to London to see material first-hand (National Gallery and The British Museum). By the end of the eight weeks students will be able to understand the basic techniques behind some works of art such as polychrome sculpture, including the secrets to its hyperrealism. We will look at the graphic arts including Ribera’s etchings. We will think also about painting materials (the prevalence of black for portraits, for instance). The course will also include close-up reading of primary sources written by painter-writers such as Francisco Pacheco (Velázquez’s master and father-in-law) and Vicente Carducho.
Sample Syllabus:
1. Introduction to the so-called ‘Siglo de Oro’. The Ashmolean.
2. Naturalism and hyperrealism.
3. Visualizing power: Philip IV, the Planet King.
4. Visit to London: The National Gallery and The British Museum.
5. Dying in the Siglo de Oro.
6. Was El Greco a Spanish painter?
7. Women and gender.
8. Las Meninas.