The Role of Sanchez Cotan : Re-examination of his artistic background and the origin of naturalism in Spain(Papers Read at the 31th National Congress)

Abstract

The still-lifes of Sanchez Cotan show the birth of baroque naturalism and tenebrism in Spain at the beginning of the 17th century, but the background of these artistic movements is still rather obscure. We can see from the examination of the style in his religious works that the Venetian school, especially that of the Bassanos, and F. Barocci influenced him in his naturalistic genre-like interpretation of traditional themes, and Luca Cambiaso in his chiaroscurism. In his three still-lifes, there are still various manneristic tendencies, such as the schematic composition, the geometrical treatment of the objects and the effect of trompe l'〓il used as a manneristic device. But we have not be able to identify the source of his Caravaggio-like realistic chiaroscurism and Cotan's approach to the every day life themes. However the works and the activities of B. Carducho, Pantoja de la Cruz and O. Borgianni in Madrid and Valladolid show similar tendencies. In Toledo El Greco, who was acquainted with them, also tends to a strong chiaroscurism since the 1590s. It is therefore possible to think that various artistic trends irradiated from Madrid and Valladolid to Toledo. In view of this rather complicated pattern, it will be necessary in order to fully understand the birth of the Spanish naturalism and tenebrism to pursue our research of this artistic trend.