Isabelline Gothic

Isabelline Gothic (in Spanish, Gótico Isabelino), was the dominant architectural style of the Crown of Castile during the reign of Queen Isabella I; it represents the transition between late Gothic and early Renaissance architecture, with original features and decorative influences of Mudéjar, Flemish, and to a lesser extent, Italian architecture.

Overview

The Isabelline style introduced several structural elements of the Castilian tradition and the typical Flemish Flamboyant forms, as well as some ornaments of Islamic influence. Many of the buildings that were built in this style were commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs or were in some way sponsored by them. A similar style called Manueline developed concurrently in Portugal. The most obvious characteristic of the Isabelline is the predominance of heraldic and epigraphic motifs, especially the symbols of the yoke and arrows and the pomegranate, which refer to the Catholic Monarchs. Also characteristic of this period is ornamentation using beaded motifs of orbs worked in plaster or carved in stone.