University Of Salamanca Spain Entrance Facade

Title

University Of Salamanca Spain Entrance Facade

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Photography And Digital Art

Description

As a retired academic, I couldn’t wait to visit the history-laden University of Salamanca in Spain. One of the more famous sights at the university among academics and non-academics alike is the grand entrance façade. While the university dates from the 13th century, this façade is ‘only’ from the 16th century and is a textbook example of the Plateresque style—named for the delicate, detail-packed, filigree-like carvings that cover the entire surface. The plaza across from the entrance is busy with people gazing up at the façade, and not just for a quick look. As one writer put it, they aren’t all art fans. They are looking for the carving of a tiny frog that sits on the top of a skull. On story has it that students studying at university had to try and find the tiny frog amongst the carvings on the facade, and if they managed this without help they would pass their exams and have good luck. There is an alternative darker theory of the frog involving death, disease, and prostitutes but I’ll stick with the good luck story! The frog is NOT easy to find! Even knowing the general location, I couldn’t find it. After two days, I saw an enlargement of the area where it is, and even then it takes a few minutes before you actually see it. It’s TINY! All I can say is it’s a good think I already have my degrees. Aside from the frog, the façade is covered with representations of monarchs, the pope, coats of arms, and Greek, Roman and Mythological figures. After the university’s founding, it was quickly ranked with Oxford, Paris and Bologna as one of the four great learning centers in Europe. It is the world's third oldest university still in operation after Bologna and Oxford. While Columbus was lobbying the King and Queen for a contract to seek out a western route to the Indies, he made his case to a council of geographers at the University of Salamanca. Once America was discovered, they discussed and recognized the rights of indigenous people, a revolutionary concept at the time. The school's members renovated theology, laid the foundation for modern-day law, international law, modern economic science and actively participated in the Council of Trent. While its prestige declined starting in the 18th century, it is today the top ranked university in Spain. It is part of the Old City of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Thank you for visiting my art galleries. If you love armchair traveling, I am confident you will find just the art or gift product that you are looking for! Art works are available as canvas prints, framed prints, acrylic or metal prints, wood prints, or posters. All art works are crafted with museum-quality and archival materials to last for many years. All images are available in a variety of sizes to fit your needs and taste.

If you are looking for a unique gift, you are sure to find it here! Gifts for the home include throw pillows/covers, tapestries, duvet covers, shower curtains, fleece blankets, and beach and bath towels. One-or-a-kind personal and fashion items include tote bags or all sizes, phone cases for iPhones and Android phones, portable battery chargers, t-shirts and sweatshirts, mugs, yoga mats, and spiral notebooks. Visit my Spain gallery at: https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/collections/spain

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FEATURED PHOTO, The Top 50 Features group, 11/14/21

FEATURED PHOTO, Camera Art Group, 2/26/20

FEATURED PHOTO, UNESCO World Heritage Sites group, 1/31/20

FEATURED PHOTO, The Road to Self Promotion group, 1/18/20

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January 17th, 2020

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