MODIFICATIONS OF THE ICONOGRAPHY OF ROMAN WARRIOR IN THE SPANISH RENAISSANCE ART (IN REPRESENTATIONS OF CHRISTIAN STORYLINES)
The study focused on the underexamined problem of modifications of the iconography of Roman warrior in the Spanish Renaissance art. The sculptures (reliefs, statues and sculptural groups) dating back to the 16th century became the study material. The iconographic type of the Roman warrior in the images on Christian storylines had not attracted the attention of researchers yet. At the same time, its analysis revealed some key points of the evolution of figurative and ideological aspects in Spanish art and, in general, of Spanish Renaissance culture. The author showed how the image of Roman soldier had gradually acquired acceptance which even led to a new imagery of saints depicted with the attributes of the Roman legionaries. Behind this transformation was the perception of the Holy Roman Empire, which in the era of Charles V included Spain, as the heir of the Ancient Roman Empire. Likewise Spanish monarchs were relatable to Roman emperors. And the image of Roman warrior from the viewpoint of the Spaniards gradually turned from the “enemy” of Christianity into a “companion” and “apologist” of Christians and Christianity. To prove this thesis, the author of the study used the iconographic method of analyzing monuments.