Facade Colegio de San Gregorio

savage men detail

the facade, plain facing , topped crest, stands out above spectacular main facade, stylistic features sets regarding workshop of gil de siloé, flemish origin artist, @ time in burgos dealing royal sepuchers of miraflores charterhouse , known have been commissioned make defunct altarpiece of chapel, in connection sculptor had made in conception s chapel or of bishop acuña in cathedral of burgos , has obvious similarities upper of main facade of san gregorio.

perphaps evoking triumphal arches of architectures @ time developing in central europe, or perhaps islamic madrasas, architects of building applying individually decorated of castilian late-gothic (isabelline), has complex symbolic significance in mix contemporary figures, saints, allegories, wild men, abundant symbolic of power, etc.

it has 2 bodies framed 2 buttresses. lower hosts vain lintel decorated fleur-de-lys, founder s symbol repeated enough, covered three-centered arch in turn covered ogee trefoil.

it draw attention savage men of jambs , buttresses, total of sixteen. theories significance of these figures, present in many buildings of 15th-century, varied , should put in relation context in these appear. 1 of functions simple heraldry sculptures. said that, dressed shield , mace, guardians of building, beastmen guaranteeing security. or these allude custom of disguising squires , lackeys in court (nobility) festivities in presented savage inferior, in relation, example, chivalric romances, mentions hair covered wild men, degraded men, estranged civilized world, not christianized, , here in visual confrontation knights appear on main facade, armor, spears , shields, interpreted allegories of virtue. on contrary, these positive allusion, mythical image of man in nature, unpolluted, symbol of purity evokes time in perfect , happy world, prototype john baptist.

those on lower part, flanking main facade, covered long hair, carrying weapons , shields decorated demonic figures except in one, has knight order of calatrava s cross, same motifs of soldiers s shields of second floor, same iconography seen on century.

however, in top of main facade different, same attributes without hair on body , 2 hairless, more human aspect, , there authors consider oldest representation in castile of american native, reflecting effect of americas s arrival in european imagination.

the tympanum, on lintel, seems represent offering of college friar alonso de burgos saint gregory great in presence of saints dominic , paul, patrons of neighboring dominican convent, disconcerting scene, unbalanced, disproportion between figures , saint paul cruciferous nimbus, exclusive attribute of christ. seems earlier work rest, or reused other site.

the upper body divided 3 sections, center occupied hexagonal pylon starts pomegranate tree, referring nasrid kingdom of granada s conquest in 1492, swirling around putti playing , jumping. fountain of eternal youth s representation, hence children, of tree of knowledge, in relation building dedicated study, allegory of paradise, place men aspire reach through knowledge, allegory of golden age, in relation historical moment occurring spanish monarchy.

the pomegranate tree topped big shield of catholic monarchs st. john s eagle held 2 attitude lions , below catholic monarchs s symbols appear: beam , arrows. , use of royal heraldry propaganda purposes in period reached prominence hitherto unknown, present not in buildings directly promoted catholic monarchs in many of closest collaborators, in way showing participation , acceptance in political project undertaken isabella , ferdinand ii in relation establishment of modern state control , organize territories under unique power.

upper body s side sections have founder s heraldic decoration , 2 kings of arms placed @ height of central shield.

distributed among distributed arboured throughout main facade seen multiple scenes related defects overcome study, in relation search truth , rejection of heresy, triumph of intelligence on force or strength overcome temptation.