16th Century Spain: Economy, Society, and Culture
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16th Century Economy and Society
The economy prospered due to the riches obtained from the Americas, especially silver and gold.
- It enabled the kings to finance the numerous wars they were involved in throughout Europe, meaning that the majority of his wealth ended up outside the Iberian Peninsula.
- The arrival of metals enriched the nobility. They used the silver and gold to buy luxury products, but did not invest in production. Therefore, the majority of the population became poorer.
- The craft industry began to grow due to an increase in demand from the American territories. However, the rise in prices made Spanish products more expensive, and it became cheaper to buy them abroad.
- As they had more resources, the monarchs were able to begin more expensive projects. However, when these resources ran out, they resorted to increasing taxes. These were collected from the peasants and the bourgeoisie, as the privileged estates did not have to pay them.
- The economy continued to be based on agriculture. This meant that the majority of the population became extremely vulnerable when harvests were bad.
Conflicts During the Reigns of Carlos V and Felipe II
| Carlos V | Felipe II | |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Conflicts | Revolt of the Comuneros (1520), Battle of Villalar (1521). Revolt of the Brotherhoods (1519-1523), Revolt of the Agermanados. | Antonio Perez was accused of an association in Castilla bankruptcy. War of Alpujarras (1568) |
| External Conflicts | Battle of Pavia (against France) in 1525 Wars against the Ottoman Empire. (Siege of Vienna 1529) Schmalkadic War (against the German Protestant princes) (from 1546 to 1547, Battle of Mühlberg in 1547) Peace of Augsburg in 1555 | Pirate attacks Battle of Saint Quentin (against France) Wars against the Protestants in the Low Countries. Battle of Lepanto (against the Ottoman Empire) in 1571. |
Spanish Culture in the 16th Century
Art
The church and the monarchy used art to spread their ideas and values.
The most important works of art were depictions of religious themes and portraits. In the Spanish Renaissance, there were two styles:
- Classicist, which strove for harmony and serenity and was influenced by Italian art and Flemish painting, although mythological themes and nudes were not portrayed.
- Mannerist, which dominated in the second half of the century. The works were expressive and had a dramatic quality. This was because the Counter-Reformation wished to evoke intense feelings in its followers and strengthen their religious beliefs.
Architecture
In the first third of the century, the Plateresque style dominated. This style is characterized by ornate facades and was similar to the work that silversmiths produced at the time. Examples are the facade of Salamanca University, San Marcos Hospital in León, and Santo Domingo Cathedral on the island of Hispaniola.
In the second third of the century, buildings were constructed in a Classicist or Purist style. This style faithfully reproduced the architectural characteristics of the Italian Renaissance. The amount of decoration was reduced, and classical elements were accentuated, such as columns and pediments.
Sculpture
With the adoption of the style of Mannerism, the faces of the sculptures became more expressive. They tried to evoke intense feelings to reflect the dramatic situations in some of the passages of the Bible. The main works done in this style were of religious imagery and were painted wooden carvings and altarpieces (sculptures or paintings which decorated the altar). The main artists were:
- Alonso Berruguete, who produced works such as The Sacrifice of Isaac and The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian.
- Juan de Juni, who produced works such as The Entombment of Christ and The Virgin of Anguish.