CANVAS MERCHANTS DRESSED IN SILK: LOS RUIZ. FABRICS AND CLOTHING IN 16TH CENTURY CASTILLA

Simón Ruiz's archive hides multiple facets of the economic, social, political and cultural life of 16th century Spain. One of them is what is addressed in this book: how he and his family dressed; what shoes and hats they wore; what was their material wealth reflected in burials, chapels, carriages, slaves and servants; what was the luxury and decorum of his house; how he hoarded his wealth; etc In short, the "culture of appearances" of a rich merchant from Medina del Campo during the time of Philip II. Symbols not merely immaterial or ethereal, but representative of Power. All of this allows us to better understand Spain at that time and reflect on its past.