Carpenters and cabinetmakers of the Monastery of San Lorenzo El Real in El Escorial
Manuel José GARCÍA SANGUINO
Original title: Los carpinteros y ebanistas del Monasterio de San Lorenzo El Real de El Escorial
Published in
Keywords: Cabinetmakers, Carpenters, El Escorial, Manierism, Philip II, Royal Monastery.
The iconic work of Philip II (Valladolid, May 21, 1527-San Lorenzo de El Escorial, September 13, 1598) was the Royal Monastery of St. Lawrence de El Escorial (1563-1584). Such a featured work was built in collaboration with various skilled journeymen: stonecutters, masons, slatecutters and, of course, carpenters and cabinetmakers. Many were those who got their hands on such a great artwork. The carpenters were devoted to the development of doors, windows, painting doors and windows, roof trusses and spiers and construction of cranes and scaffolding, using current timber. Cabinetmakers, meanwhile, left their mark on the making of furniture comprising the main rooms of the monastery and marquetry doors, using for making them the so called fine woods, harder, more consistent and of great aesthetic beauty. Carpenters and cabinetmakers worked under the orders of Father Villacastín, the greater worker of the Monastery, a person aware of the progress of the working process, dealing with the construction of the building, work schedules, supplying materials and all administrative task, ie, the foreman. They worked also under the orders of architect Juan de Herrera and carpentry foreman García de Quesada. In addition, we must take into account the figures of García de Brizuela, an accountant and supervisor in the first phase, and Gonzalo Ramirez in the second one, with whom works contracts were signed and companies were formed.
Dominus dat sapientiam. Erasmism and wisdom as backbone elements of the action and the image of Charles V
Carlos Jesús SOSA RUBIO
Original title: Dominus dat sapientiam. Erasmismo y sabiduría como elementos vertebradores de la acción y de la imagen de Carlos V
Published in Mirabilia Journal 34
Keywords: Erasmus of Rotterdam, King David, King Solomon, Philip II, Strength, Wisdom.
Wisdom acted as a backbone in the image of Charles V, especially during his first years of government, and in this matter Erasmus of Rotterdam had a relevant role. Starting from this premise, it is convenient to analyze the origin of that decision and, above all, the consequences it had for the shaping of his effigy, whose unquestionable evolution in the 30s and 40s of the century did not necessarily mean a total break with the ideological substratum of that previous period. This paper analyzes Charles V’s wisdom sources, with Erasmus as the main point of reference, as well as its effects and manifestations, to subsequently study the relationship that through this “gift from heaven”, and the other great biblical virtue, which is strength, Charles V and Philip II establish with David and with Solomon. Legitimacy, Davidic Covenant and messianism are other issues addressed that are closely related to the propagandistic use of these two great figures of the House of Judah.