Castile, the Council of Constance and artistic promotion of Don Sancho de Rojas

MARÍA VICTORIA HERRÁEZ ORTEGA

Don Sancho de Rojas, bishop of Palencia first and then archbishop of Toledo from 1415 to 1422, was a personage outstanding in Castilian politics during the first two decades of the 15th century. His job as a patron of art is one of the most interesting chapters in the History of Art in Castile during the first half of this century, though very little attention has been paid to him. In this work the writer establishes the relationship of some very well known works that he donated to the monastery of San Benito in Valladolid with the Castilian politics during the Western Schism and before the summons of the Council of Constance (1414-1418).

Late Medieval architecture in Seville, 1350-1450: A glance from contemporary times

MARÍA DEL VALLE GÓMEZ DE TERREROS GUARDIOLA

An analysis of architectural works constructed in Seville between 1350 and 1450 from a contemporary point of view, based on studies related to the history of monumental restoration. This work demonstrates that these medieval constructions have reached us radically transformed, being their present image due to recent interventions. The examples examined are those of works done in the Alcazar, the Cathedral, the temples of Saint Marcus and Omnium Sanctorum, and the chapel of the Congregation of Quinta Angustia, which is located in the church of Saint Mary Magdalen.

The honor of the Crown: The art commissions of Queen Blanca of Navarre (1425-1441)

JAVIER MARTÍNEZ DE AGUIRRE

This article analyzes the rationale behind Queen Blanca’s artistic patronage. Blanca was the most important woman patron in the kingdom of Navarre during the Middle Ages. She continued the works of Pamplona Cathedral, she funded the cloister of Santa María in Olite, she collaborated in the creation of the façade of the church of San Francisco, also in Olite, and she made improvements to royal palaces in Pamplona, Olite, Tafalla and Sangüesa. Efficient as administrator, devout in her personal behaviour, she was conscious of her royalty, which she reaffirmed by means of the exaltation of the crown. In summary, she developed a personal trajectory that differed from that of her father, Carlos III the Noble, one of the most important patrons of the International Gothic.

Patrons, traditions and innovation in 15th century Valencian architecture

AMADEO SERRA DESFILIS

Valencian architecture around 1400 entered in a period of innovation departing from ancient, early Christian, Islamic and Jewish traditions. Recent research has concentrated mainly on technical developments and on the study of sources, contracts in particular, but some aspects concerning transmission of practical knowledge and patrons’ attitudes towards innovation and tradition remain still open to further study. This article analyzes the later question and tries to explain patron’s agency either in new buildings and restoration of older ones. Particular attention is given to values and categories applied to judge new buildings and to praise architects’ work taking advantage of the richness of written sources in 15th century Valencia.

Rehearsing estorias grandes and letras cabdinales: Miniature in the Crown of Castile during the first half of 15th century

FERNANDO VILLASEÑOR SEBASTIÁN

Traditionally the scholars have considered “that the Castilian miniature around 1420-1450 is really poor in relation with the production of the other moments of the Gothic period (the illumination of the Alfonso X or the Hispano-Flemish style). However, in this moment, Castile was assimilating several experiences both from its own context and international scene that, although they did not made this period especially productive –with exceptions like the Alba Bible; the illumination that was made in the cathedral of Seville or important figures like Álvaro de Luna or Diego de Anaya– are deciding factors to understand the evolution of the illuminated manuscript and to show that it achieved its own identity and the greatest splendour by the middle of the 15th century.

· Library ·

Matilde Miquel Juan — Del reconocimiento a la admiración en el estudio del gótico internacional

Josefina Planas Bádenas — El Breviario de Martín el Humano (Marta Serrano Coll)

Vivian B. Mann (Ed.) — Uneasy Communion: Jews, Christians, and the Altarpieces of Medieval Spain (Sandra Sáenz-López Pérez)

Arturo Zaragozá y Mercedes Gómez-Ferrer— Pere Compte, arquitecto (Federico Iborra Bernad)