Angie Bonk: Spanish Period

This period was influenced by the Moorish, Early Christian, Medieval and the Italian Renaissance. The Alhambra was the last of the Spanish Palaces completely before expulsion of the moors. The Alhambra included numerous courtyards with gardens, fountains and reflecting pools. A castle during this period that was build by noble Christian families was the La Mota Castle. It was build of concrete walls faced with brick. Spain has more castles that any other European country. Famous Cathedrals in Spain are the Granada Cathedral which included Gothic vaulting and the Cathedral of Seville that also used the Gothic style and was the largest cathedral in the world during the 15th century. During this time, there were two different phases. The Plateresco Phase and the Desornamentado Phase. The Plateresco Phase was also known as the silversmith's style that used Gothic and Renaissance in its construction. It incorporated the "silversmith's style" by the delicate ornament that resembled the work of a silversmith. This phase was used on exteriors, patios, churches, public buildings, furniture and accessories. The Desornamentado Phase was a reaction to the Plateresco style. They used very defined proportions and was ornamented. They applied this to courts, ecclesiastical and public buildings. There was also another style during this time called the Baroque style, also known as Churrigueresco. The Spanish wanted to replace the Desornamento with something more passionate. This was promoted by a family of craftsmen named Churriguera who were sculptures, wood carvers and architects.This was the style of surface decoration. This style was applied to exterior doorways, interior decoration and churches. In Spain's residential design, they gained inspiration by Moorish design. This included elaborate decorations in patios, galleries, doorways and windows in contrast to plain walls. The most artistic features in interiors were suburb iron grilles that were used on windows, openings, and wrought-iron handrails. Interiors also included colored tiles, pine-paneled, painted and carved ceilings and plasterwork with a white decorative border or frame around doors or windows. Furniture during the Spanish period was made by cabinetmakers that used inlay work, carvings, painting and gilding. Inlay work was one of Spain's finest artistic achievements. Their inlay included minute pieces of bone, ivory, exotic woods, mother of pearl, and metal work. Also, there were many geometric designs and highly stylized leaf and floral designs. Some famous furniture is the Sillon de Franilero, the Wooden Bench, the walnut benched with Hinged back and Walnut Vargueno Puente Stand.

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