An Iberian Dialogue: Francisco de Holanda versus Felipe de Guevara

Abstract

This article compares two sixteenth-century treatises on the nature of painting. Art history has given much attention to specific statements by the authors on Netherlandish paining, but has largely ignored the remaining content of the works. The writers, Francisco de Holanda (1517-1584) and Felipe de Guevara (1500-1563), both wrote their treatise on the Iberian peninsula. They, however, represent two different European discourses: De la Pintura Antigua (1548-49) by De Holanda voices the Italian art theory, Comentarios de la Pintura (1560) by De Guevara is based on the ideas and practices of the North of Europe. The article will research the impact on the ideas about art and painting of the specific backgrounds and experiences of the authors as well their choice of sources.