Gil Vicente, Called The Trobadour

Place: Guimarães

Biography:

Gil Vicente, Called The Trobadour

was a renowned playwright and poet from Portugal, known for his significant contributions to the world of drama and poetry. He is often referred to as the "Portuguese Plautus" and is considered one of the greatest playwrights in Western literature.

Early Life and Career

Gil Vicente's birthdate is estimated to be around 1465, although there are various conjectures about his birthplace. He was attached to the courts of the Portuguese kings Manuel I and John III, where he rose to prominence as a playwright due to the influence of Queen Dowager Leonor. His plays and poetry, written in both Portuguese and Spanish, reflect the changing times during the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

Notable Works

Some of his notable works include The Floresta de Enganos, The Velho da Horta, and Auto da Festa. These plays showcase his ability to balance the rigid mores and hierarchical social structure of the former time with the new society that was emerging. His works were often composed to celebrate religious and national festivals or to commemorate events in the life of the royal family.

Artistic Style

Gil Vicente's artistic style is characterized by his use of both photography and collage, as seen in his painting Gil Vicente, Called The Trobadour, which is housed at the Museum of Modern Art Aloisio Magalhães (Recife, Brazil). His works are a reflection of the changing times and created a balance between the former time of rigid mores and hierarchical social structure and the new society in which this order was undermined.

Legacy

Despite some of his works being suppressed by the Portuguese Inquisition, Gil Vicente is now recognized as one of the principal figures of the Portuguese Renaissance. His contributions to drama and poetry have had a lasting impact on the world of literature. As a lyric poet, he worked in Spanish as much as he worked in Portuguese, making him a joint-father of Spanish drama.

• Gil Vicente, Called The Trobadour: A biography of the artist on Wikioo.org
• Gil Vicente: Wikipedia page on Gil Vicente
• Painting by Gil Vicente, Called The Trobadour: A painting by the artist on Wikioo.org
• Museum of Modern Art Aloisio Magalhães: The museum where the painting is housed

works by Gil Vicente include The Last Supper and Still-Life with Fruit, which are notable examples of his artistic style. His legacy continues to be celebrated through his contributions to drama and poetry, making him a significant figure in the world of literature.