Antiquity and Innovation in the Hispanic Renaissance

The artistic and literary florescence of the Siglo de Oro paralleled a broader current of cultural innovation, which extended beyond peninsular Spain to other parts of Europe and the Americas – a movement which can be conceived as a Hispanic Renaissance. After an introductory overview, the seminar will highlight four major tendencies, through close examination of some foundational authors and texts. The course will be organised thematically, but texts will generally be approached in chronological sequence, beginning with Antonio de Nebrija’s investigations in the 1490s and ending with Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora’s showcasing of New Spain’s complex legacies.