Expeditions to the Americas, and the often destructive colonization and evangelization that followed, helped the Spanish monarchs to amass a great fortune based on indigenous labor and natural resources.
1400 - 1600
Beginner's guide
During the Renaissance, the Spanish empire extended throughout Western Europe.
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Female artists in the renaissance
Despite obstacles, women became exceptional artists in the Renaissance
A miraculous appearance for a queen: Juan de Flandes, Christ Appearing to His Mother
a Flemish painter in the court of a Spanish queen
Why commission artwork during the renaissance?
Find out more about why patrons commissioned artworks during the renaissance.
Bringing the figure to life
The Spanish Michelangelo? Looking closely at a figure by Alonso Berruguete
Gil de Siloé, The Tomb of Juan II of Castile and Isabel of Portugal
If you suddenly found yourself the heir to a royal throne that your family members felt belonged to them, then what steps would you take to advertise that you are indeed the rightful inheritor?
The Renaissance in Spain, The Morata Master
Get to know fifteenth-century Aragonese painting, which draws on Italian and Northern Renaissance influences.
St. Michael defeats the devil in Renaissance Spain
Roll over Bellini, and tell Tintoretto the news. The Renaissance in Spain.
Bartolomé Bermejo, Piedad with Canon Lluís Desplà
Two years before the Spanish expel the Jews and begin their invasion of the Americas, an artist paints an image of redemption.
Fifteenth-century Spanish painting, an introduction
The Northern Renaissance style comes to Spain and is gloriously transformed.
Expanding the Renaissance: a new Smarthistory initiative
Must all renaissance art history trumpet the achievements of famed artists such as Masaccio, Leonardo and Van Eyck? Can we center other narratives?
The Renaissance in Spain
Stretching from Europe to the Philippines, the Spanish Empire amassed great wealth—and spent lavishly on art.