Oviedo y Las Casas: letra e imagen, figuras complementarias

Abstract

Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo (1478-1557) and Bartolomé de las Casas (1484- 1566) were protagonists of Spain’s actions in America who also produced foundational works of history. Despite their personal enmity, their complementarity is apparent in writings accompanied by (Oviedo) or interpreted through (Las Casas) pictorial images. This essay’s “complementary figures” refers to Oviedo and Las Casas as interpreters of the novelties of nature and the violence of conquest as well as to the relationship of word and image on making them known.