Leone i Pompeo Leoni na dworze hiszpańskim
Leone and Pompeo Leoni at the Spanish court

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to show how the majesty of the Spanish monarchy was presented through the sculptures of Leone and Pompeo Leoni. They created sculptural works commissioned by Emperor Charles V and King Philip II, producing bas-reliefs, medals, busts and full-figure statues from marble, as well as bronze. They depicted both monarchs and members of the royal family. The Italians’ works are characterised by distance, emotional coldness, rigidity and attention to detail. The figures they sculpted were usually shown in the portrait style. When depicting the Spanish monarch, Leone and Pompeo Leoni also reached for allegories in order to emphasise the splendour of the ruler. Among the most frequently mentioned works by the Leonis are two groups located in the El Escorial mausoleum, depicting Emperor Charles V with the Empress and his sister, and Philip II with his relatives. The figures are depicted in kneeling poses and are made of bronze. The Italian artists created a number of sculptures for the Spanish court glorifying the ruler and, as was so fashionable at that time, which also fitted well into the portrait galleries created at European royal salons.

• Details
• Contents