The Mosaic Art of Monreale Cathedral
Style and Influences
The cathedral’s style is syncretic, blending architectural elements from northern Normandy, such as the facade towers, with Islamic art influences seen in the geometric mosaics and decoration. The bronze doors are noteworthy, with one crafted by the renowned sculptor Bonanno Pisano, depicting biblical stories in 46 panels.
The interior showcases mosaics with gold backgrounds that narrate stories and passages from the Old and New Testaments. These mosaics follow a linear chronology,
Read MoreThe Cid, Clerecía, and Love: A Literary Journey Through Medieval Spain
The Cid
Infanzones vs. Ricoshombres
The Cid exalts the figure of the Infanzón, a knight of lesser noble lineage, who is valued for their loyalty and effort. In contrast, the Ricoshombres, higher-ranking nobles, and their sons (Infantes) are depicted as degraded and cowardly. The Cid, a valiant knight, is portrayed as a careful husband, a loving father, and an exemplary Christian subject. The Infantes, on the other hand, are characterized by cowardice, greed, and treachery. This work likely reflects
Read MoreThe Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire: A Historical Overview
Rome
The Origins of Rome
The Italian peninsula was the birthplace of the Roman people. According to legend, it was founded by Aeneas. The first residents were the Latins, followed by the Sabines, and later the Etruscans.
Legend of Romulus and Remus
Aeneas founded the city of Alba Longa, which was ruled by Numitor. His daughter, Rhea Silvia, was the mother of Romulus and Remus. When Amulius, her father, imprisoned her and threatened to kill her children, Rhea Silvia escaped with them by placing them
Read MoreAntonio Machado: Life, Works, and Poetic Style
Antonio Machado: Biography
Antonio Machado was born in Seville in 1875 into a progressive, liberal family, which influenced his life, work, and thought. During his travels to Paris, he met Rubén Darío. He secured a position at a secondary school in Soria, where he married Leonor Izquierdo. They traveled to Paris, but Leonor fell ill with tuberculosis and they returned to Soria. A year later, she died. Machado, devastated, left Soria. He moved to Segovia and met Pilar Valderrama.
In 1936, the Spanish
Read More20th Century Literature: From Symbolism to Realism
Before the War: Poetry
Symbolism and its Aftermath
At the dawn of the 20th century, Symbolism held a prominent place in poetry. However, the devastating impact of World War I (1914-1918) and the Russian Revolution (1917) ushered in a new era in literature.
In this tumultuous social and economic climate, the literary avant-garde movements emerged, including Cubism, Surrealism, and Dadaism. These movements sought to challenge and transform society through art.
Post-Symbolism
William B. Yeats (Irish)
A towering
Read MoreThe Poetic Journey of Juan Ramón Jiménez
His Poetry
Juan Ramón Jiménez, though belonging to the second generation of his time, maintained close ties with the surrounding generations. He embraced modernism, influencing many avant-garde authors. He pursued truth and eternity through his work, believing that beauty is the key to achieving them. He viewed poetry as a source of knowledge, a way to capture the essence of things.
Jiménez’s poetry is pantheistic, accurate, and precise. His style evolved, marking two distinct periods in his work.
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