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El Escorial
Contains an illustrated and informative narrative on the renowned Spanish monastery-palace and includes a comprehensive reference section on Spanish monarchs and history
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 24, 2024
El Escorial! Apparently the word has no other meaning than the place--a combination palace, church and mausoleum constructed north of Madrid in the mid- to late 1500s during the reign (1556-1598) of Phillip II of Spain. Built as a monument to St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo) for the victory over the French at the Battle of San Quentin (Aug. 10, 1557, also the feast day of San Lorenzo) and to fulfill the request of his father Charles V (Charles I of Spain). It is said to reflect much about the personality of Phillip who reigned through some of the most difficult moments of Spanish history including the Armada disaster. Today it is a tourist destination where I will alight (God permitting) in about 10 days time. I had this Newsweek book 'Wonders of the World" from who knows where and decided to give it a try. Quite a pleasant surprise for what appears as a picture book (and it has many interesting ones), but the text by Mary Cable is also quite serviceable. It provides an overview of the construction and some of the history attendant to the place, mainly pertaining to the various monarchs entombed there.
Perhaps the best part was her little compendium at the end 'The Escorial in Literature' in which she provides some excerpts from notable writers and poets who wrote about the Esocorial. Some of these 'reviews' are scathing but entertaining, others more nuanced. Among the writers are Theophile Gauthier (A Romantic in Spain, 1843), Alexandre Dumas (Adventures in Spain, 1846), John Milton Hay (Castilian Days, 1871) Nikos Kazantzakis (of Zorba the Greek fame), American historian William H. Prescott (1855-58) and several Spanish authors (most notably Benito Pérez Galdós), along with poets Gerard Manley Hopkins and John Addington Symonds (The Escorial, 1860). Altogether it is a worthwhile compendium and includes a nice little guide at the end. 3.5 stars rounded up for exceeding my expectations!
Perhaps the best part was her little compendium at the end 'The Escorial in Literature' in which she provides some excerpts from notable writers and poets who wrote about the Esocorial. Some of these 'reviews' are scathing but entertaining, others more nuanced. Among the writers are Theophile Gauthier (A Romantic in Spain, 1843), Alexandre Dumas (Adventures in Spain, 1846), John Milton Hay (Castilian Days, 1871) Nikos Kazantzakis (of Zorba the Greek fame), American historian William H. Prescott (1855-58) and several Spanish authors (most notably Benito Pérez Galdós), along with poets Gerard Manley Hopkins and John Addington Symonds (The Escorial, 1860). Altogether it is a worthwhile compendium and includes a nice little guide at the end. 3.5 stars rounded up for exceeding my expectations!
February 11, 2018
When I was a kid, my dad had a lot of Time/Life books and Newsweek publications... as well as the old classic art books (Great Paintings of the Louvre and Book of the Month Club art books) and of course Encyclopedia Britannica. So, it was so nostalgic holding an old Newsweek Publication in my hands again!! I had forgotten, despite the low quality photographs, how solid these books were (non-specialist but very intelligent).
I was looking for a history of el Escorial and this was the only one I found. It was a nice surprise. Mary Cable is an excellent story teller. From architecture to the art collections to history of the Spanish kings and the famous library, I was really happy I got my hands on this old book.
I was looking for a history of el Escorial and this was the only one I found. It was a nice surprise. Mary Cable is an excellent story teller. From architecture to the art collections to history of the Spanish kings and the famous library, I was really happy I got my hands on this old book.
September 14, 2021
See Leann's review.
The dust jacket has a beautifully rendered photo of golden statues of King Philip and Queen Anne.
This cathedral was begun in approximately 1562 and finished in 1584 -- record time. It is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, and was the single-eye'd vision of Philip II, great grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella (Ysibella) of Christopher Columbus fame. It is named after the nearby town of Escorial.
This book chronicles the specific architecture of the complex, the vows and personality of Phillip II himself, and to a lesser extent, his decedents.
There are several color photos of the castle and buildings; small, rectangular windows in unrelieved walls; all very monastery-like or a FedEx warehouse. There are 2000 windows, 84 miles of corridors, 15 cloisters, and 1200 doors. Few arches, 50 to 1. The walls and windows are undecorated and graceless. Inside, gold and gilt contrasted with bare walls, and enormous battle scenes of the times. Various notable painters and artists were asked to help with the church, (Titian, Michelangelo) but they declined for various reasons, age being uppermost. El Greco, Velasquez and Goya's paintings are on display. Cellini's Christ on the Cross (done in black and white Carrera marble and draped strategically by monks), and several gray paintings by El Greco are notable.
If there is more to the cathedral and palace, it is not chronicled by this book.
The dust jacket has a beautifully rendered photo of golden statues of King Philip and Queen Anne.
This cathedral was begun in approximately 1562 and finished in 1584 -- record time. It is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, and was the single-eye'd vision of Philip II, great grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella (Ysibella) of Christopher Columbus fame. It is named after the nearby town of Escorial.
This book chronicles the specific architecture of the complex, the vows and personality of Phillip II himself, and to a lesser extent, his decedents.
There are several color photos of the castle and buildings; small, rectangular windows in unrelieved walls; all very monastery-like or a FedEx warehouse. There are 2000 windows, 84 miles of corridors, 15 cloisters, and 1200 doors. Few arches, 50 to 1. The walls and windows are undecorated and graceless. Inside, gold and gilt contrasted with bare walls, and enormous battle scenes of the times. Various notable painters and artists were asked to help with the church, (Titian, Michelangelo) but they declined for various reasons, age being uppermost. El Greco, Velasquez and Goya's paintings are on display. Cellini's Christ on the Cross (done in black and white Carrera marble and draped strategically by monks), and several gray paintings by El Greco are notable.
If there is more to the cathedral and palace, it is not chronicled by this book.
May 29, 2018
Excellent
Smoothly written broad view of Spanish monarchy and the role of El Escorial in their lives and political actions. Excellent introduction. Perfect
for the general reader.
Smoothly written broad view of Spanish monarchy and the role of El Escorial in their lives and political actions. Excellent introduction. Perfect
for the general reader.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews