Renaissance Art and Architecture

The Renaissance developed in Italy, then spread throughout Europe. During this period, artists revisited ancient Greek and Roman works.

Renaissance architecture emphasised straight lines and simplicity. 

Do you recognize this building?



It has a mix of three architectural styles of the era: Plateresque, Hererrian, and Purist.  It was built in the 16th century.

The most famous example of the Plateresque style is the facade of the University of Salamanca. We can see many decorative elements, such as crests, columns, medallions, human and animal figures...



Here is an example of the Herrerian style: El Escorial, comissioned by Phillip II. The facades are simple and sober.





Here is a presentation about Renaissance architecture in Spain, and also El Greco.



Spanish Renaissance and El Greco from neni


In sculpture, polychrome (many-coloured) wooden sculptures depicted religious themes. Here is some work by Alonso de Berruguete.


Adoración de los Magos, Alonso de Berruguete


Ecce Homo, Alonso de Berruguete


And El Greco was a famous Spanish Renaissance painter.


El caballero de la mano en pecho, El Greco




Christ driving the moneychangers from the temple, El Greco