Another Pilgrims' Canon: The Pelegrino curioso and Its Art of Viewing

Abstract

The work of Villalba represents a novelty in the Renaissance literary scene. His intention to travel for pleasure, just to see and record what he observes, leads him to make the first descriptions of the gardens of Aranjuez and the Abbey, of the theater shows and customs, while performing a courageous criticism of society at the same time that he breaks many of the subjects that were transmitted by tradition. This fusion of different elements together with a non-prejudiced sight of the world, turn him into an exception among the canon of genres and attitudes followed by his contemporaries.