Precedents of the institutionalisation of Art History in Spain: Historical and artistic studies in the 19th century

Abstract

This articles aims chiefly to provide an overview of the historical-artistic studies carried out and published in Spain throughout the 19th century and to show that these works provided the basis and foundation for the subsequent institutionalisation of Art History in Spanish universities in the early 20th century. It begins with a summary underlining the need for this kind of study, then paints a broad diachronic perspective on the historical circumstances surrounding the historiographic practice of the 19th century, its characteristics and its writers. It ends with a brief consideration of the scope of 19th century research and its effects on the institutionalisation of Art History in Spain.