Realism in 19th Century Spanish Literature
Realism arrived in Spain during the second half of the nineteenth century, slightly later than in other parts of Europe. While European Realism masters (excluding the Russians) had published their major works before 1850, Realism in Spain wasn’t considered established until the publication of Galdós’ La Fontana de Oro in 1870. However, several factors paved the way for Realism’s success in Spain, including translations of foreign works, the Golden Age’s realist tradition, and the prevalence of
Read MoreItalian Painting of the Trecento
Italian Painting of the Trecento: Siena and Florence
Introduction
In most of Europe, Gothic painting manifested in stained glass, book illustration, and altarpieces for churches, given the near disappearance of wall space. However, in Italy, the presence of walls in churches allowed fresco painting to develop significantly, although tempera on panel was also used. Its evolution, from a formal standpoint, closely resembles that of sculpture, moving towards greater naturalism in the treatment of figures
Read MoreThe House of Bernarda Alba: Lorca’s Exploration of Repression
Federico García Lorca: Life, Context, and Literary Contributions
Historical and Literary Context
Born in Fuente Vaqueros, Spain, into a wealthy family, Lorca studied Bachillerato and law in his city. Between 1919 and 1928, he resided in the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid, a hub of cultural exchange. There, he formed friendships with Salvador Dalí, Rafael Alberti, and other prominent figures. He traveled to New York from 1929 to 1930 and later to Cuba. As director of the university theater group
Read MoreÉdouard Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe: A Study
Édouard Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe: A Study
The Painting
We are facing a figurative oil painting on canvas from 1865. Presented at the Paris Salon in autumn, the artwork, originally titled Le Bain (The Bath), was rejected and caused controversy. The painting depicts a forest scene with two men in contemporary attire conversing with a woman while another woman bathes naked in a stream. A still life picnic is interposed between the viewer and the nude model.
There is a flat, stage-like quality
Read MoreThe House of Bernarda Alba: A Deep Dive into Lorca’s Masterpiece
Federico García Lorca: Context and Literary Background
Born in Fuente Vaqueros, Spain, Federico García Lorca was a renowned playwright and poet. He studied law and literature in Granada, his hometown, before moving to Madrid in 1919. Lorca resided in the Residencia de Estudiantes, a hub of cultural exchange, until 1928. There, he befriended prominent artists like Salvador Dalí and Rafael Alberti.
Lorca’s travels took him to New York City from 1929 to 1930 and to Cuba. Upon his return to Spain,
Read MoreSpanish Literature of the 20th Century: Novecentismo and Vanguard Movements
1. Introduction: Spanish Literature After WWI
The Rise of New Artistic Movements
Following World War I, European youth, including those in Spain, advocated for a new creative order. This period saw the emergence of two significant literary movements in Spain: Novecentismo and the Vanguards.
2. Novecentismo
Definition and Context
Novecentismo refers to the work of a group of Spanish authors who reached their peak during the period from 1914, coinciding with the Generation of 1914. These authors possessed
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