SPANISH RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE (PAINTING).

Spanish Renaissance:

The Renaissance was a time of great change as well as great artwork and paintings. It lasted from the 15th Century to the 16th Century. Although the artistic focus was mainly on Italy (Leonardo da Vinci), Spain also had its fair share of Renaissance painters.

Paintings from the Renaissance period reflect the innovation that was happening in the world at that time, such as the advances in science and technology. The development of the easel meant that painters had their own medium with which to work and were therefore no longer tied to architects for spaces to paint. The 15th and 16th Centuries saw the rise in popularity of the more portable panel paintings, which could be hung and moved around the house with ease.

The most famous Spanish Renaissance painter is Doménikos Theotokópoulos, better known as "EL GRECO". His most famous painting is "EL CABALLERO DE LA MANO EN EL PECHO":

Spanish Baroque:

Baroque art also originated in Rome, Italy and its development spanned two centuries (17th and 18th). Baroque style was present in painting, sculpture and architecture. Baroque art pieces were mostly commissioned by Catholic monarchs in order to enhance the assets of the expanding Catholic Church. Baroque art therefore also became a key part of the Counter-Reformation movement.

Baroque painting was designed to provoke some sort of emotion from the audience of the painting, unlike the rational paintings of the earlier Renaissance period. The most famous Baroque painter is of course, Carvaggio. However, Diego Velázquez is without doubt the best known Spanish painter of this style. Diego Velázquez was a Spanish painter who was active during the Spanish Golden Age period. Velázquez was a court painter and therefore painted many portraits of the Spanish Royal Family in Madrid, of which his most famous is the curious painting, 'Las Meninas'.

Zurbaran's "Bodegón" is also a great example of Spanish Baroque:

What would you choose: RENAISSANCE OR BAROQUE?