Page 49 - Art In The Age Of Exploration (Great Section on Chinese Art Ming Dynasty)

example of artesonado, carved in a geometric no concession to the Gothic or the Islamic.
pattern and covered with gilding and bright By the time of Ferdinand's death in 1516 the
colors. The anteroom, executed slightly later, is Renaissance style had established a beachhead in
another inspired melange of two cultures. The Castile, although a few more decades would pass
frescoes, designed by Borgona but executed by before it conquered Spanish art. The triumph of
assistants, represent an illusionistic landscape of classicism was secured by Philip n (1.1555-
fruit trees and flowers populated by fluttering 1598), the great-grandson of Ferdinand and
birds. However, the door leading to the chapter Isabella, who grasped the potential of harness-
room is framed by a low-relief Islamic design ing the style to express the formidable power
carved in plaster (yeseria). and faith of his Catholic monarchy. Before the
In the final work commissioned by Cisneros middle of the sixteenth century, however, Span-
for the cathedral his transformation into a Re- ish art was caught up in the play of contradic-
naissance prince of the church is complete. This tory forces that were shaping the society
is the Mozarabic Chapel, so-called because it is itself. As the geographical frontiers of Spain
reserved for the celebration of the mass accord- expanded, its mental world began to turn
ing to the medieval Mozarabic rite. In 1514 Bor- inward. In that elastic moment many kinds of
gona executed three frescoes of the battle of artistic expression, both traditional and innova-
Oran, in which the saintly prelate Cisneros is tive, native and imported, were possible. The
depicted as a victorious military commander. resulting heterogeneity makes the period one
On the vault Borgona painted the illusion of a of the most fascinating in the history of Euro-
coffered ceiling in correct antique form, making pean art.
fig. 9. Juan de Borgona, Anteroom of Chapter
Room. Toledo Cathedral

fig. 10. Juan de Borgona, Mozarabic Chapel. Toledo Cathedral

48 CIRCA 1492