Francisco de los Cobos and the fame: architectural promotion and the opposition courtly literature

Abstract

In this article we set out to analyze Francisco de los Cobos´ personal fame related to his architectural promotions, especially the Holy Chapel of the Saviour in Úbeda, with reference to contemporary testimonies about his personality during his life and in the immediately following years after his death. We will pay special attention to printed works as Aviso de privados y doctrina de cortesanos by the bishop of Mondoñedo Fray Antonio de Guevara (1480-1545) or Diálogos de la preparación de la muerte by Pedro de Navarra (ca. 1504-1567), that directly allude to our personage. These testimonies will allow us to have an idea of the fame Cobos´ buildings had in his time. In addition they will prove how the Holy Chapel of the Saviour was used by his detractors as an excuse to defame Cobos in the context of the internal fights to reach the supremacy in the Emperor Charles V´s court.