Spanish Royalty in Naples: Between Art and Architecture (1598-1713)

The publication will form part of the series Temi e frontiere della conoscenza e del progetto (Themes and Frontiers of Knowledge and Design), published by La scuola di Pitagora and edited by prof. Ornella Zerlenga of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Italy. It is multidisciplinary in nature and includes volumes that propose a critical reflection on architecture, the city, the environment and industrial design, investigating disciplinary sources and cultural trends with a focus on the themes of form, structure, innovation, representation and communication.

The broad scope of the theme proposed allows for a transversal look at the figure of the Viceroy and his closest collaborators and relatives as authentic protagonists of an interesting historical and artistic period. During this period, Naples was not only one of the most prosperous cities in Italy but also one of the largest in Europe and an investment for the Spanish monarchs that dominated it. This unique metropolis had a Spanish presence that lasted four centuries. Traces can still be seen today in the layout of its streets, in some of the city’s most representative monuments as well as the habits and customs of the Neapolitans. This relationship gave rise to one of the city’s most mythical neighbourhoods, the Quartieri Spagnoli, which was founded in the 16th century to house the Spanish military garrisons during the period of the Aragonese’s struggle with the French who, like the Spanish, wanted to take control of the city. Once the war was over, a relatively quiet secular rule began during which Spanish proxies remodelled Naples. The chronology of the volume spans the long period between the reign of Philip III (1598) and the end of the War of the Spanish Succession (1713), a stage in which the figure of the Viceroy was decisive for many reasons in that he not only exercised the administrative and governing function as representative of the Spanish monarchy, but also played an important role in promoting the cultural activities of what was called the Spanish Siglo de Oro and which, in other words, represented the Baroque language par excellence.

In the territories of the Hispanic monarchy, the Viceroys, as alter egos of the king and therefore of noble lineage, travelled frequently. The office or ‘job’ usually lasted from three to six years. During this stay in Naples, the incumbent controlled not only the economic resources, which allowed him to build a residence and surround himself with the most famous artists, thus increasing the prestige of the crown. The Viceroys were not only faithful deliverers of the political power of the kings but also played the role of patrons of the arts, so much so that during the 17th century, it is possible to recognise a significant influence of Naples in Spain through their work. Many of the works that today are exhibited at the Prado Museum in Madrid were sent to Spain by the Viceroys as gifts for the king or, on specific commission, to decorate the royal palaces.

The role of the viceroys, or their wives, is also interesting in this cultural exchange. The women did not possess property titles but accompanied their husbands, which, for example, was not possible for those governing Latin America. This made the role of the vicereine very active in the Kingdom of Naples. Their participation in public ceremonies aroused much interest, helping to consolidate Spanish power in the city.

Priority will be given to original and unpublished contributions with a focus on the relations between Naples and Spain during the period indicated and, without excluding other topics, the following themes are proposed:

• The Viceroys’ journey to Naples: methods; route to Italy; length of stay in Naples; entourage (family, secretaries, servants); trousseaux; gifts to Neapolitan dignitaries.
• Contact with local artists: patronage networks.
• The Spanish influence on Neapolitan religion and beliefs.
• The Vicereine: the role of the wife between interests and influence on locals.
• The Viceroys’ collections: interests; preferences; influence on Spanish artists.
• Investments in public works to demonstrate Spanish power and the expansion of the Hispanic monarchy in Italy: the reform of urban spaces (creation of fountains; squares; etc.).
• The Viceroys and the stories of their return from Spain and vice versa.
• The return of the Viceroys to Spain: construction of palaces and convents; collection of works of art and books from the Kingdom of Naples.
• Founding of convents as family ‘pantheons’, to which the Viceroys donated many Italian works of art.
• Stories of travellers and travel descriptions.
• Representation of the Viceroys in art.
• The Viceroys as seen by the Neapolitan nobility and people.
• The Spanish influence on the architecture of the Kingdom of Naples.

Texts in Italian, French, Spanish and English are accepted. Translation into English is also required for those submitted in Italian, French and Spanish.

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