Philip IV and the World of Spain's Rey Planeta

Stephen M Hart

ISBN 10: 1855663538 / ISBN 13: 9781855663534

Published by Boydell and Brewer Ltd, GB, 2023

About this Item

Did Spain fall into decline or flourish in the seventeenth century?This edited collection looks at perceptions and representations of Philip IV, Spain's 'Planet King', and his government against the backdrop of the seventeenth-century General Crisis in Europe, wars, revolutions and a sovereign debt crisis. Scholars often associate Philip's reign (1621-1665) with decline, decadence, crisis, stagnation and adversity (as did many contemporaries); yet the glittering cultural and artistic achievements (enhanced by his patronage) of the period led it to be dubbed 'the' Golden Age. The book analyses these contradictions, examining Philip's own understanding of kingship and how he and his courtiers used art and ceremony to project an image of strength, tradition, culture and prestige, while, at the same time, the empire grappled with revolts in Europe and falling trade with its New World colonies.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781855663534

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Philip IV and the World of Spain's Rey Planeta
• Publisher: Boydell and Brewer Ltd, GB
• Publication Date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1855663538
• ISBN 13: 9781855663534
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 1 gram

About this title

Synopsis

Did Spain fall into decline or flourish in the seventeenth century?

This edited collection looks at perceptions and representations of Philip IV, Spain's 'Planet King', and his government against the backdrop of the seventeenth-century General Crisis in Europe, wars, revolutions and a sovereign debt crisis. Scholars often associate Philip's reign (1621-1665) with decline, decadence, crisis, stagnation and adversity (as did many contemporaries); yet the glittering cultural and artistic achievements (enhanced by his patronage) of the period led it to be dubbed 'the' Golden Age. The book analyses these contradictions, examining Philip's own understanding of kingship and how he and his courtiers used art and ceremony to project an image of strength, tradition, culture and prestige, while, at the same time, the empire grappled with revolts in Europe and falling trade with its New World colonies.

About the Authors

STEPHEN M. HART is Professor of Latin American Film, Literature and Culture at University College London, UK.

ALEXANDER SAMSON is Reader in Early Modern Studies at University College London.