Author:
Mercado-Oliveras Verónica,Alcántara-García Jocelyn
Abstract
AbstractIlluminated manuscripts are relatively well studied, but the available publications greatly focus on religious manuscripts of a geographically limited area. In contrast, technical examinations of illuminated legal documents have received far less attention, e.g., Spanish cartas ejecutorias de hidalguía (executory certificates of nobility). These documents are suitable case studies to deepen current knowledge of manuscript-making in Spain for two reasons: First, they are dated (late fifteenth to early eighteenth centuries); and second, they are unusual and understudied from both the textual and materials analysis standpoints. Cartas contain judicial proceedings whereby a family gained or was re-assigned hidalguía (lower nobility). A key exhibit to achieving this status was proving their “blood purity” which implied they were faithful Catholics, so finding religious representations within the document is common. In addition, families embedded their faith and links to monarchs in their coat of arms through symbols like crowned eagles, trees, and towers. The deliberate choice of heraldic and religious elements is as important as the materials used to produce them. Interested in better understanding illumination in Spain we are studying these unique documents from the historical, materials, and iconographic points of view. Herein, we present the earliest results of an ongoing survey, detailing two case studies: Davila and Nuñez D. Armesto cartas. This research uses a combination of: (a) instrumental techniques (X-ray fluorescence, reflectance, and infrared spectroscopies; peptide mass fingerprinting; and gas chromatography); and (b) historical research using both the manuscript’s contents as primary sources, and published research. The preliminary results are enabling us to shed light onto Spanish (legal) illuminated manuscript-making, and the symbolic role materials played, e.g., use of precious metals adorning monarchical elements, presence of ultramarine mixed with azurite on both coats of arms, and on Virgin Mary’s gown, etc. This survey intends to simultaneously learn more about illumination practices in Spain, inform conservation decisions, and hopefully better understand problems connected to historic ideologies that were legalized in beautiful albeit disturbing documents, e.g., persecution of non-Catholics at the time in Spain.
Funder
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Archeology,Archeology,Conservation,Computer Science Applications,Materials Science (miscellaneous),Chemistry (miscellaneous),Spectroscopy
Reference64 articles.
1. Moraleda MJ. La, “carta de privilegio para la venta de las casas del comunero Hernando de Ávalos”: el arte de la miniatura en los códices jurídicos españoles de principios del siglo XVI [The “certificate of privilege for commonner Hernando de Ávalos houses sales”: the miniated art of Spanish codices in the 16th century]. De Arte Revista de Historia del Arte. 2021;20:23–37 (in Spanish).
2. Executoria em forma a pedimiento de Don Alonso Albarez de Toledo con el fiscal de su magestad y concejo y vezinos de Cerbera sobre el casco de la dicha villa [Don Alonso Albarez de Toledo’s executory certificate requesting his majesty, the council, and Cerbera’s neighbors about that villa] (in Old Spanish). [Cervera]. 1598–1621 Philip III. https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3n85j.
3. Vilela-Gallego P. Las Sentencias en los Procesos de Hidalguía. El caso de Fernando de Padilla Dávila [The Rulings in Hidalguía Proceedings. The case of Fernando de Padilla Dávila]. Revista Andalucía en la Historia (Revista AH). 2013;41:54–7 (in Spanish).
4. Guinot P, Roge A, Gargadennec A, Garcia M, Dupont D, Lecoeur E, et al. Dyeing plants screening: an approach to combine past heritage and present development. Color Technol. 2006;122(2):93–101.
5. Ruiz García E. 11. La Carta Ejecutoria de Hidalguía: Un Espacio Gráfico Privilegiado [The Executory Certificate of Hidalguía: A Privileged Space]. En la España Medieval. 2006;251–76 (in Spanish).