Description
The Correspondence of Benito Arias Montano with the President of the Council of the Indies Juan de Ovando
Book Summary
This work offers a detailed analysis of forty-five documents that reveal the intense epistolary relationship between the humanist Benito Arias Montano and the president of the Council of the Indies, Juan de Ovando. The reader will discover the intricacies of the trade in books, maps, and scientific instruments from Flanders to the Spanish court, as well as Montano's role as a political advisor, censor, and librarian of El Escorial. A meticulous study that provides insight into the public and private lives of two key figures of the reign of Philip II.
What is it about?
The book gathers the exchange of correspondence between Benito Arias Montano, who was in Flanders directing the edition of the Antwerp Polyglot Bible, and Juan de Ovando, president of the Council of the Indies. Through these private letters, the process of acquiring and shipping books, maps, astronomical instruments, and paintings is detailed, including logistical aspects such as transport, customs, and intermediaries. Alongside this correspondence, additional documents are included that evidence Montano's work as a political advisor, book censor, and librarian of El Escorial, offering a complete view of his influence in the administration of Philip II.
Main themes
- 16th-century historical correspondence between high-ranking officials in the administration of Philip II.
- Trade and circulation of books, maps, and scientific instruments between Flanders and the Iberian Peninsula.
- The role of Arias Montano as a political advisor and censor in the Spanish court.
- The organization and management of the Library of El Escorial in its early years.
- The private lives and influence networks of two relevant figures of Spanish humanism and politics.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at historians, researchers, and students of modern history, especially those interested in the reign of Philip II, Spanish humanism, the history of books and libraries, as well as the networks of power and administration of the Spanish Empire during the 16th century.
What this book provides
- Access to an unpublished primary source that documents the personal and professional relationships of two key figures of the 16th century.
- Detailed understanding of the mechanisms for the acquisition and distribution of cultural goods between Flanders and Spain.
- A nuanced view of Arias Montano's influence on the cultural and religious policy of the time.
- Rigorous historical context that enriches the study of the administration of Philip II and Spanish humanism.
Technical specifications
- Author: Macías Rosendo, Baldomero
- Publisher: Universidad de Huelva
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Modern history: c.1450/1500-c.1700, History of religion
- Series: Bibliotheca Montaniana
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: 1110820
- Number of pages: 380
- Weight: 940 g
Editorial assessment
This critical edition of the correspondence between Arias Montano and Juan de Ovando represents a significant contribution to the knowledge of the cultural and political history of the 16th century. The documentary rigor and the preliminary study offer the specialized reader an indispensable working tool to understand the dynamics of power, intellectual commerce, and library management in the court of Philip II. A reference work for those seeking to delve into the primary sources of Spanish humanism.