The Nobility before the King

Joaquín Yarza Luaces

ISBN: 978-84-95241-33-7

Year: 2003

Pages: 348

Illustrations: 265

Binding: hardcover with dust jacket

Size: 30 x 30 cm

Published by: Madrid, Iberdrola and El Viso Editions

In this book, Joaquín Yarza Luaces, professor of Art History at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, offers a synthesis of the role of the nobility of the Crown of Castile in the development of art during the 15th century. In an era marked by the influence of two opposing artistic styles, Nordic and Italian, Yarza studies how the great Castilian lineages chose and promoted certain artistic forms according to their social and cultural interests. He analyzes both preserved and lost works, traced in historical documents, to reconstruct a more complete picture of noble patronage. The book stands out for its significant editorial effort, including detailed photographs of castles, churches, altarpieces, tombs, and other artistic expressions, presented with technical quality and careful design. Thus, the work seeks not only to document but also to facilitate the reader's understanding of the role of the nobility in shaping 15th-century Castilian art.