Alexander Esono
National Library of Russia, Russia
The paper is focuced on main theoretical and artistic problems of Renaissance in Iberian region and how these problems are linked to the evolution of polychrome sculpture of the16th — or even — 17th centuries. The analysis of that object is very important for the correct understanding of phenomena in Spanish and Portuguese art of the 15th–16th centuries. Furthermore, the problems of understanding appear when we question the existence of renaissance tendencies in Iberian peninsula.
This branch of Renaissance is very complicated concept which needs special attention. For example, Iberian art of the 17th century is based on progressive influences of the 16th century. We can be sure that the expansion of knowledge of anatomy may be explained by renaissance tendencies, otherwise it’s impossible to imagine such a specific naturalistic Baroque art as polychrome sculpture as well as the Sevillian painting.
Analyzing the art of Modern Age in Spain and Portugal we turn to the epoch of 15th–16th centuries. The style of the epoch has both Renaissance and Gothic elements. But the region which gave birth to these Renaissance tendencies on the Iberian peninsula, is hard to determine. Also considering the radical changes in economic life of Spain and Portugal, studying art of that period makes the researcher turn to the history of international relations. So it is possible to conclude that Renaissance tendencies came here from Northern Europe, that’s why Spanish and Portuguese art bears the imprint of such an original phenomenon as Northern Renaissance.
However, many international artists — Italian, French, German etc. — worked on Iberian peninsula. For investigating that period it’s necessary to research the works of such masters as Juan de Juni, Pompeo Leoni, and also Juan de Castillo, Diego de Siloe, Alonso Berruguete. The artworks of these sculptores and architects are rich material for analysis and reflections on the evolution of national art in Spain and Portugal, on concept of the form, and on spectator’s perception. This article attempts to analyze this matter.