Spain's Golden Age: Art, Literature, and Society

The Splendor and Cultural Siglo de Oro

Spanish society remained dominated by the aristocratic and religious values of the collective mentality of the previous century. These values also permeated the culture. While science and thought experienced a decline, literature and art flourished, marking the Golden Age for its magnificent creations.

Amidst a largely illiterate population, access to culture remained difficult, accessible only to a minority of affluent individuals. The Index of Forbidden Books filtered any argument that contravened the principles of Catholicism.

Literature and Art in the Golden Age

In the field of literature and art, Spain experienced a period of unprecedented boom, influenced by a great love of the theater. The century began with the figure of Cervantes (1547-1616) and his "Don Quixote" (1605 and 1614). Hispanic letters glittered with the likes of Quevedo, Lope de Vega, Góngora, and Pedro Calderón de la Barca, excelling in both theater and poetry.

The Rise of Spanish Baroque Painting

Art also glowed, particularly in architecture, sculpture, and especially painting. Spanish Baroque painting represents one of the key moments in the history of world painting. The names of Zurbarán, Velázquez, Alonso Cano, Ribera, and Murillo mark the heyday of Spanish Baroque art.

Government and Administration in the New World

After the initial Reconnaissance, the Crown directly intervened and began to appoint governors and organize the government of the new lands. The main institution of control and monopoly was the House of Trade (Casa de Contratación) in Seville, which managed everything related to America. It served as a warehouse to prepare ships, controlled immigration, collected the royal fifth (real quinto), and established the Council of the Indies, responsible for all matters relating to America.

Administrative Organization

The administrative organization of the new territories consisted of viceroys. Beneath each viceroy were the audiencias, which had jurisdiction over several provinces and were directed by governors, except in border areas of danger, which were overseen by captains general. Local government formed a cabildo, a kind of assembly directed by a mayor. In major cities, the mayor arbitrated local disputes.