Part 1
THE SPANISH SERIES
THE ESCORIAL
THE SPANISH SERIES
_EDITED BY ALBERT F. CALVERT_
SEVILLE MURILLO CORDOVA THE PRADO THE ESCORIAL SPANISH ARMS AND ARMOUR
_In preparation_--
GOYA TOLEDO MADRID VELAZQUEZ GRANADA AND ALHAMBRA ROYAL PALACES OF SPAIN LEON, BURGOS & SALAMANCA VALLADOLID, OVIEDO, SEGOVIA, ZAMORA, AVILA & ZARAGOZA
THE ESCORIAL
A HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE SPANISH ROYAL PALACE, MONASTERY AND MAUSOLEUM, BY ALBERT F. CALVERT, WITH 278 ILLUSTRATIONS
LONDON: JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY MCMVII
Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty
_To His Excellency_
_SEÑOR DON WENCESLAO R. DE VILLA-URRUTIA._
_Your Excellency_,
_In putting forth this modest account of the Escorial, that marvellous monument to the Hapsburg dynasty, I beg to inscribe it to your Excellency, as a tribute of my esteem and an expression of admiration of your Excellency’s great work in the interests of Spain, and as historian of ‘The Relations between Spain and Austria during the Reign of the Empress Margaret.’_
_I am,
Your Excellency’s
Sincere and obliged,
ALBERT F. CALVERT._
PREFACE
No work dealing exclusively with the Royal Palace and Monastery of the Escorial, and purporting to give a full historical and descriptive account of that remarkable monument of Philip II. of Spain, has hitherto been published in England. In this volume I have endeavoured to present, in condensed form, a history of the founding and building of the edifice, to deal in detail with the more interesting features of its architecture, and to describe the pictures, fresco paintings, illuminated missals, and other works of art contained in the several portions of this great composite pile.
The Escorial reflects the genius of Spain at the period following upon the final emancipation from the sway of the Moors. It is an image, as it were, of the powerful monarch who founded it, and spent so many years of his life in superintending the construction and decoration of the building. The Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo del Escorial is a repository of many of the world’s masterpieces of art, a library of rare and costly manuscripts and volumes, a sumptuous hermitage, a college, and a sanctuary. It is one of the wonders of Spain, and among the most historically interesting royal residences in Europe. With the aid of the letterpress and the illustrations included here, those readers who have not visited the Escorial will, I trust, be enabled to realise something of its massive grandeur, and to appreciate its significance in the history of the Spanish nation; while those who propose to inspect this ‘Leviathan of Architecture’ will find these pages useful in directing their attention to the chief works of art and objects of interest.
In preparing this description, I have sought for historical facts amid the pages of Don Antonio Rotondo’s large and admirable work upon _The Escorial_, in the _Historia del Escorial_ of Father Sigüenza, in the writings of Prescott and Dunham, and the volume of Pedro Madrazo on _New Castile_. I am also indebted to C. Gasquoine Hartley for notes upon the artists of the Escorial, gathered from her _Record of Spanish Painting_, and particularly to Mr. Walter M. Gallichan for his assistance in the compilation of the material.
Many of the illustrations in this volume appear by the courtesy of Señor Don J. Lacoste, who supplied the photographs and gave me permission to reproduce them.
A. F. C.
‘ROYSTON’
SWISS COTTAGE
N.W.
CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE
I. PHILIP II. AND THE ESCORIAL, 1
II. THE ESCORIAL FROM WITHOUT, 22
III. THE CHURCH, 31
IV. THE ROYAL MONASTERY, 45
V. THE LIBRARY, 55
VI. THE UNIVERSITY, 62
VII. THE PALACE, 65
VIII. APPENDIXES, 73
IX. PRINCIPAL PICTURES IN THE ESCORIAL, 79
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PLATE Plan of the Monastery, 1
View of the Monastery, 2
View of the Monastery from the Orchard, 3
View of the Monastery from the Entrance of the ‘Real Sitio,’ 4
View of the Monastery from the Romeral, 5
View of the Monastery (East Side), 6
Principal Façade of the Court of the Kings, 7
View of the Court of the Kings, 8
Balcony in the Court of ‘La Compaña,’ 9
View of the ‘Casa del Principe,’ or Lower Lodge, 10
Ascent to the Silla del Rey, the Chair of Philip II., 11
The Silla del Rey, the Chair of Philip II., 12
The Horca (Gallows) Cross, near the Escorial, 13
Garden of the Caseta de Abajo. (Escorial), 14
Source of the Seminario, 15
Source of the Seminario. (Escorial), 16
The Colonnade of the Monastery, 17
View of the Upper Cloister of the Monastery, 18
View of the Upper Cloister of the Monastery, 19
Lower Cloister of the Monastery, 20
View of the Lower Cloister of the Monastery, 21
Snow-pit and Pond of ‘Convalescents,’ 22
‘Convalescents’ Gallery, 23
The Monks’ Walk and ‘Convalescents’ Gallery. (Escorial), 24
‘Convalescents’ Gallery, 25
The Evangelists’ Court, 26
Court with the Springs of the Evangelists, 27
Shield of the Emperor Charles V., 28
Court of the Evangelists, 29
Interior of the Church, 30
Door-knocker of the Church at the Escorial, 31
Choir Stalls. (Basilica of the Monastery), 32
Interior View from the Choir. (Basilica of the Monastery), 33
Interior View. (Basilica of the Monastery), 34
Retablo at the High Altar. (Basilica of the Monastery), 35
Interior View from the High Altar. (Basilica of the Monastery), 36
Altar-piece at the High Altar, 37
St. Hieronymus and St. Augustine. (Statues of the Altar-piece), 38
St. Matthew and St. Mark. (Statues of the Altar-piece), 39
St. Paul. (Statue of the Altar-piece), 40
St. Gregory and St. Ambrose. (Statues of the Altar-piece), 41
St. Peter. (Statue of the Altar-piece), 42
St. John and St. Luke. (Statues of the Altar-piece), 43
Left Side of the High Altar: Interment of the Emperor Charles V., 44
Marble Statue of San Lorenzo at the Entrance of the Choir, 45
Interior View of the Chapel, 46
The Tabernacle. (Escorial), 47
Panteon of the Kings. (Entrance Gate), 48
Beautiful Rock Crystal Candelabrum in the Choir of the Escorial, 49
Casket in Malachite and Lapis-lazuli, ornamented with beautiful engraved Rock Crystal. (Reliquary of the Escorial), 50
View of the Panteon of the Kings. (Escorial), 51
Panteon of the Infantes (Interior), 52
Panteon of the Infantes (Interior), 53
Tomb of Charlotte of Bourbon. (Panteon of the Infantes), 54
Tomb of Don John of Austria. (Panteon of the Infantes), 55
View of the Principal Staircase of the Monastery, 56
Library of the Monastery, 57
Library of the Monastery, 58
Library of the Monastery, 59
Library of the Monastery, 60
Golden MS. (10th Century). (Library of the Monastery), 61
Prayer-book of Isabella the Catholic. (Library of the Monastery), 62
Songs of St. Mary. MS. (13th Century) belonging to Alfonso the Wise. (Library of the Monastery), 63
Latin Prayer-book of Ferdinand the Catholic. (Library of the Monastery), 64
Mass-book of Philip II. (Library of the Monastery), 65
Breviary of Charles V. (Library of the Monastery), 66
Psalter of the Emperor Charles V. (Library of the Escorial), 67
Natural History of Pliny the Younger, Italian MS. of the 16th Century. (Library of the Escorial), 68
Page 238 of the Mass-book of Isabella the Catholic: MS. of the 15th Century, the Vignette of which contains the name of the Queen. (Library of the Escorial), 69
First page of a Hebrew Bible: precious MSS. of the end of the 14th Century. (Library of the Escorial), 70
Persian MS., the work of Muhammed Scham El Din Hapheth, Poet of the 14th Century. (Library of the Escorial), 71
Manuscript of the Year 1050. (Library of the Escorial), 72
Virgil’s Poems: MS. of the 15th Century, written in Spain. (Library of the Escorial), 73
Virgil: Manuscript of the Year 966. (Library of the Escorial), 74
Virgil: Manuscript of the Year 966. (Library of the Escorial), 75
The Apocalypse of St. John: Manuscript of the 15th Century, (Library of the Escorial), 76
Two pages of the Koran of Muley Zidan, Emperor of Morocco in 1594. (Library of the Escorial), 77
‘The Tree of Love,’ written in 1288. (Library of the Escorial), 78
Persian Manuscript, the work of Muhammed Scham El Din Hapheth, Poet of the 14th Century. (Library of the Monastery), 79
Mass-book of Isabel the Catholic, Manuscript of the 15th Century. (Library of the Escorial), 80
Frontispiece of the Koran of Muley Zidan, Emperor of Morocco in 1594. (Library of the Escorial), 81
Mass-book of the Empress Isabel, Mother of Philip II. (Library of the Escorial), 82
Mass-book of Philip III. and Queen Margarita. (Library of the Escorial), 83
Greek Manuscript of the end of the 14th Century. (Library of the Escorial), 84
Breviary of Philip II. (16th Century). (Library of the Monastery), 85
Mass-book and Holy Office of Philip II. (Library of the Monastery), 86
Latin Prayer-book of Ferdinand the Catholic. (Library of the Monastery), 87
Arabian Manuscript (Natural History). (Library of the Monastery), 88
Reading Desk in the Choir. (Escorial), 89
Sacristy (Monastery), 90
Paranymph of the College (Monastery), 91
Our Lord Crucified, sculptured in Marble (Monastery), 92
Interment of Philip II. (Monastery), 93
Chapter Room (Monastery), 94
Chapter Room (Monastery), 95
Chapter Hall (Monastery), 96
Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple, attributed to Van Eyck (Monastery), 97
Altar-piece of the Santa Forma, painted by Claudio Coello. (Sacristy of the Monastery), 98
Embroidered Altar-cloths. (From the Sacristy), 99
Embroidered Copes. (Sacristy of the Escorial), 100
Casket of Malachite and Lapis-lazuli, ornamented with engraved Rock Crystal. (Relicario of the Escorial), 101
Christ on the Cross, in Wrought Copper. (Relicario of the Escorial), 102
Bronze Lectern representing an Eagle, made at Antwerp in 1571. (Chapter Hall of the Escorial), 103
Bronze Lectern representing an Angel, made at Antwerp in 1571, by Jean Simon. (Chapter Hall of the Escorial), 104
St. Michael overcoming the Devil, by Pedro Roldan. (Chapter Hall of the Escorial), 105
Christ, with the Virgin and St. John: Statues in Marble. (The Escorial), 106
Gate of the Santa Forma. (Sacristy of the Monastery), 107
Mirror in Rock Crystal. (Sacristy of the Escorial), 108
Altar-piece of Charles V., in Wrought Copper (From the Camarin of St. Theresa at the Escorial), 109
Alabaster Statue of St. John Baptist. (From the Camarin of St. Theresa at the Escorial), 110
Inside Cover of a Reliquary which belonged to Pius V. 1566-1572. (From the Camarin of St. Theresa), 111
Reliquary of Rock Crystal. (From the Camarin of St. Theresa), 112
Bone Reliquary of the end of the 12th Century. (Camarin of St. Theresa), 113
Reliquary of Wrought Iron, inlaid. (Relicario of the Escorial), 114
Reliquary of Wrought Iron, inlaid. (Relicario of the Escorial), 115
Reception Hall. (Palace), 116
Reception Hall. (Palace), 117
View of the Dining Hall. (Palace), 118
View of the Dining Hall. (Palace), 119
Ante-room. (Casa del Principe), 120
Hall of Ambassadors. (Palace), 121
A Room of Philip II. (Palace), 122
Memorial of King Philip II. (The Escorial), 123
Chairs of Philip IV. (Palace), 124
Escutcheon of King Philip II. (The Escorial), 125
Buen Retiro Porcelain, Imitations of Wedgwood. (The Hall of China of the Casa del Principe), 126
Buen Retiro Porcelain, Imitations of Wedgwood Panels. (Casa del Principe), 127
View of the Dining Hall. (Casa del Principe), 128
The Judgment of Solomon (Ivory). (Casa del Principe), 129
The Fisherman caught in the Nets (Ivory). (Casa del Principe), 130
Sculpture in Ivory called ‘Princesa de San Severo.’ (Casa del Principe), 131
The Adoration of the Shepherds (Ivory). (Casa del Principe), 132
Round Table with a Tray of Sèvres Porcelain. (Casa del Principe), 133
Table, Chair, and Porcelain from the Royal Works at Buen Retiro. (Casa del Principe), 134
Mary Magdalene, from the Royal Works at Buen Retiro. (Casa del Principe), 135
Buen Retiro Porcelain: Imitation of Wedgwood. (Casa del Principe), 136
Top of a Round Table in Sèvres Porcelain. (Casa del Principe), 137
The Descent from the Cross: Sculpture in Ivory. (Palace), 138
Ante-room of Choice Woods. (Palace), 139
Chair of the Emperor Charles V. (Palace), 140
The Emperor Charles V., the Empress Isabel, his Daughter Maria, his Sisters Eleonora, Queen of France, and Maria, Queen of Hungary. (Escorial), 141
Pompeian Hall. (Palace), 142
Oratory of Choice Woods in the Ante-chamber. (Palace), 143
Expedition to the Azores. (Hall of Battles), 144
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (1st Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 145
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (2nd Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 146
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (3rd Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 147
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (4th Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 148
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (5th Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 149
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (6th Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 150
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (7th Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 151
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (8th Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 152
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (9th Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 153
Battle of Higueruela, 1431 (10th Section of the Series of Drawings). (Hall of Battles), 154
Fragment of the Battle of Higueruela, 1431, by Granelo and Fabricio. (Hall of Battles in the Escorial), 155
Fragment of the Battle of Higueruela, 1431, by Granelo and Fabricio. (Hall of Battles in the Escorial), 156
Fragment of the Battle of Higueruela, 1431, by Granelo and Fabricio. (Hall of Battles in the Escorial), 157
Surrender of the Chatelet Fort. (Hall of Battles), 158
The Siege of Han and Surrender of its Castle. (Hall of Battles), 159
Battle of Gravelinas. (Hall of Battles), 160
Preparations for the Battle of Gravelinas. (Hall of Battles), 161
Taking of St. Quintin by the Spanish Infantry Regiments. (Hall of Battles), 162
Battle before St. Quintin. (Hall of Battles), 163
Preparations for the Siege of St. Quintin. (Hall of Battles), 164
Departure of the Spanish Army from the Fortified Place of St. Quintin. (Hall of Battles), 165
The Duke of Alba reviewing his Troops at Cantillana. (Hall of Battles), 166
Effigies of all the Kings of Spain, from the Time of the Goths, until Philip V., taken from Charts, Medals, and Paintings. (Library of the Escorial), 167
Pluto and Proserpina, by L. Giordano. (Casa del Principe at the Escorial), 168
Allegory of Africa, by L. Giordano. (Casa del Principe at the Escorial), 169
Phaeton struck by Jupiter’s Thunderbolt. (Casa del Principe at the Escorial), 170
The Battle of Lepanto, by L. Giordano. (Reproduced from the Fresco in the Escorial), 171
Expedition to the Terceire Isle (Azores). (Fragment of a Fresco Painting in the Hall of Battles), 172
Apollo and Mercury, by Peregrino Tibaldi. (Fresco on the Arch of the Library of the Escorial), 173
A Sweet Singer, by Watteau. (Museum of the Escorial), 174
A Love Scene, by Watteau. (Museum of the Escorial), 175
Philip II. receiving a Deputation from the Low Countries in the Escorial, by Sant Arcos, 176
Portrait of Philip II. at the age of 71, by Antonio Moro. (Library of the Escorial), 177
Second Set of Effigies of all the Kings of Spain, from the Time of the Goths, until Philip V., taken from Charts, Medals, and Paintings. (Library of the Escorial), 178
St. Isidore, by Corrado. (In the Museum at the Escorial), 179
Pan and Misenus, by Peregrino Tibaldi. (Fresco of the Arch in the Library of the Escorial), 180
Homer and Virgil, by Peregrino Tibaldi. (Fresco of the Arch in the Library of the Escorial), 181
Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, by V. Carducci. (Fresco of the Arch in the Library of the Escorial), 182
Pindar and Horace, by Peregrino Tibaldi. (Fresco of the Arch in the Library of the Escorial), 183
The Visitation, by Peregrino Tibaldi. (Fresco of the Arch in the Cloister of the Escorial), 184
The Marriage of the Virgin, by Peregrino Tibaldi. (Fresco in the Cloister of the Escorial), 185
The Annunciation, by Lucas Cangiagi. (Fresco in the Cloister of the Escorial), 186
Triptych, with Paintings on Vellum. (Camarin of St. Theresa), 187
The Seven Capital Sins, by Jerome Bosch, on Wood. (In the Room of Philip II. at the Escorial), 188
The Story of the Passion: Diptych, in Ivory, of the 13th Century. (From the Camarin of St. Theresa), 189