Since all the best and best-known work of Spanish or Portuguese
illuminators was executed in the sixteenth century, and is manifestly a
reflection with peculiar mannerisms of either Flemish or Italian
illumination of the same period, it may seem almost superfluous to
devote a separate chapter to the subject. Yet there is a goodly list of
both Spanish and Portuguese artists who practised the art of
illumination.
So early as the time of Isidore of Seville we find notices of libraries,
copyists, and the like (see book iv. of his Encyclop?dia), and an able
writer of the last century, Don Jos? Maria de Eguren, published a work
on the MS. rarities of Spain.[62] The most important of the miniatures in
the famous Codex Vigilano are also reproduced in "El Museo Espa?ol de
antiguedades," most interesting respecting the calligraphy and miniature
art of the eleventh century.
[62] _Memoria de los Codices notables conservados en los archivos
ecleseasticos de Espana_. Madrid, 1859, L. 8°.
One of the earliest instances of royal patronage bestowed on painting in
Spain is a document in the Royal Library at Madrid, containing the
expenses of King Sanchez IV. in 1291-2. Thus "to Rodrigo Esteban,
painter of the king for many paintings done by the king's orders in the
bishop's palace 100 golden maravedis.
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