Cuadernos Dieciochistas (Dec 2018)

Ornament and representation: everyday life stages in late 18th century Madrid

  • Álvaro MOLINA,
  • Jesusa VEGA

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14201/cuadieci201819139166
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 0
pp. 139 – 166

Abstract

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Home decoration in late eighteenth century Spain experienced substantial changes as a result of the new customs and practices demanded by modern urban sociability. This new dimension took home as a stage for everyday life, an environment of representation assembled under the dictates of «good taste» and fashion. Never before it had been more necessary to keep abreast of fashion developments and the press played an important role in the diffusion of them, helping us in the rediscovery of those disappeared contexts. From the Diario de Madrid it is possible to know and understand the importance that ornamenting had among those people who wanted to be part of modern life. This eagerness promoted both, production and trade of arts and manufactures beyond the Fine Arts.

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