Sainetes

A fine collection of 200 sainetes, mostly anonymous but some attributed to Ramón de la Cruz or Juan del Castillo. Madrid or Valencia: various printers, 1791-1877



200 printed pamphlets, 8vo (8 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.; 222 x 158 mm). Some with woodcut title vignettes, some with caption titles, many unopened. Unbound, in two maroon buckram drop-boxes.

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An extraordinary collection of sainetes representing the second stage in their development, under the influence of Ramón de la Cruz (1731-1794).

The sainete is a comic theatrical work of a popular nature, usually in one act, presented at intermission or at the end of another work. First developed in the 17th century, the contributions of Ramón de la Cruz introduced a literary quality and new themes into the genre.

The diplomat Jean François Bourgoing (1748-1811) was typical of contemporary foreign observers who found (in his Tableau de l'Espagne Moderne) it difficult to see the point (Pinkerton translation): "What shall I say of the strange custom of interweaving in their most serious comedies little pieces which have no relation to them whatever? I speak of those modern comedies which the Spaniards call Saynetes or Intermes, which are little pieces in one act, as simple in their plots as those of the great pieces are complicated. The manners and character of the inferior classes of society, and the petty interests which associate or divide them, are therein represented in the most striking manner. It is not an imitation but the thing itself. The spectator seems to be suddenly transported into a circle of Spaniards, where he is present at their amusements and little cavillings. ... The Saynetes seem to have been invented to give relief to the attention of the audience fatigued by following the plot of the great piece through its inextricable labyrinth. Their most certain effect is that of making you lose the clew; for it seldom happens that the real Spanish comedies are represented without interruption."

A complete inventory of the content will be provided upon application to the department.