The Spanish Period

The Spanish period took place in the 16th Century and it was the most brilliant era in Spanish history. They were influenced by the Moorish, Early Christian, Medieval, and Italian Renaissance. The Spanish definitely showed beautiful architecture and decoration. They used numerous courtyards with gardens, fountains and reflection pools.

For example, shown below is a fountain and reflecting pool at the Alhambra. 

 

Castles were built during this era by noble Christian families. There were more castles in Spain then in any other European country. They were built of concrete walls and faced with brick. La Mota Castle was one they built during the Spanish period.

La Mota Castle

Also, massive cathedrals were built during this period. One of the largest is Cathedral of Seville which is the largest cathedral in the world. It is located in Seville-Andalusia Spain and is Gothic style. This cathedral really demonstrates the cities wealth. It's so large that is has 80 chapels inside of it and holds 500 masses daily.

Cathedral of Seville

Two of the Spanish Renaissance styles were Plateresco and Desornamentado. The Plateresco Phase which is the silversmith's style. Its minute and delicate ornament resembles the work of a silversmith. The second is Desornamentado Phase which is unornamented. It's a powerful style characterized by austerity.

A common furniture piece you would have often seen during the Spanish period were chairs. They were the favorite and most characteristic of Spanish Renaissance. The monk's chair was called the Sillon de Frailero. It's a walnut armchair that consist of a leather seat and back. 

Sillon de Frailero

Current Applications:

Discussion:

I first reviewed Megan S's blog. Since she did her presentation on Spanish, her blog was very detailed and explained a lot of the Spanish style. I thought she covered the important aspects of the Spanish period. It was easy to follow and I learned a lot in just a short blog. I also reviewed Ali's blog. I loved how she showed more of the Spanish style interiors. I noticed how common tiles are used in the Spanish period. She showed some very fun, detailed and colorful tile work. 

Italian Renaissance

This was the period of rebirth and originated in Tuscany in the cities of Florence, Siena and later spread to Venice. It was influenced from the Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman Civilizations. This era shifted from a religious to a secular emphasis and it's a time when residential design became popular. Also, comfort, convenience and beauty was important rather than safety, strength and protection. 

One of the finest achievements of the Italian Renaissance was the Palazzo. Its power and influence came from prominent families. Its facade consisted of repetition, alternation and progression. They had three divisions, compound windows and heavy project cornice on the top. The Medici family was an extremely wealthy family that used their  money to make the city beautiful. The Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence, Italy is a well known palazzo that was known for its stone masonry. 

The Palazzo Medici Riccardi

The interiors in the Palazzo were all centered around an interior courtyard. This era started focusing on making the interiors detailed and decorative using color. The interiors contained frescos, tapestries and fireplaces. Also, characteristics to be found were decorative moldings, doors and door frames, elaborate ceilings, painted wall and ceiling decorations, pilasters, and brick, terra-cotta tile, or marble flooring.

Palazzo Davanza

The Italian Renaissance furniture was portable and sparse. It had inlays of ivory, lapis, marble, onyx and other stones. The finest furniture contained walnut. One of their chairs was called a Sedia. It had straight rectangular legs attached to floor stretchers. Turned baluster or vase-like forms support the front of the arms and was covered in black seat upholstered in velvet, tapestry or ornamented leather. 

Sedia

Trestle tables were the most common tables. They are rectangle in shape and are supported on two heavy and elaborately carved pedestals which is connected by a carved stretcher. It is a refectory table used for dining and it can be extend by pulling out at each end to lengthen the top. 

Trestle Table

For more information about the Italian Renaissance, here is a video that describes the important factors that went on throughout the 14th-16th centuries.

Current Applications:

Lobby

Current day Trestle table

Modern day Sedia chair

Discussion:

I reviewed Kristina P's blog and I learned how living in a palazzo would be like. She mentioned that it included vestibule, prepare shops, summer apt kitchen bathroom storage, grand staircase, and a piano noble. She showed very nice and clear pictures that helped me picture what it would have looked like.  I also looked at Samantha F's blog and she explained well the shift this era had. It went to more a secular emphasis. She said that the shift happened because much of the church had become more powerful and the more powerful it became the more corruption came with it. She also mentioned how the Medici family influenced this era in great detail.