With the controversial rise to power of the House of Trastámara, a new policy of persuasion and visualization of power in public spaces emerged. This policy sought, among other aims, to present rulers as kings chosen or sanctioned by divine authority by incorporating them into elaborate and compelling devotional compositions. Through a survey of the Museo del Prado’s collections, this lecture proposes to analyse the strategies adopted by monarchs, as well as by the new peninsular elites, in codifying their aspirations for status and dynastic continuity.

This lecture forms part of the series Revisiting Gothic Painting at the Prado.

Lecture delivered by Ángel Fuentes (Complutense University of Madrid) on 4 June 2022 at the Museo Nacional del Prado.