Spanish Postwar Poetry: Trends and Key Figures
Postwar Poetry
The Civil War, the beginning of the Franco dictatorship, and the exile of many Spanish people, including many intellectuals, interrupted the natural evolution of culture and Spanish literature. In a postwar period reduced by the lack of freedom and a society surrounded by poverty and hunger, poetry and literature undertook a difficult path between 1939 and 1950.
Only two approaches seemed possible: either approve the new situation or reflect the hopelessness in the present and the future,
Read MoreGarcilaso de la Vega: Life, Works, and Poetic Style
Garcilaso de la Vega
Themes
- The Petrarchan Conception of Love: This is in the tradition of an impossible love inspired by his beloved. When Garcilaso describes the woman he loves, he always represents the Petrarchan ideal.
- Idealized Nature, Refined and Harmonious: A desire to escape courtly life and a longing for rest and peace, leading to the description of fresh meadows, rivers, etc.
- Mythology: Garcilaso recreates myths that combine love, despair, and death.
Style
Serene and simple, without artifice,
Read MoreSpanish Post-Civil War Novel: Trends and Authors
Spanish Novel After the Civil War
The Falangist Novel
In the immediate post-war period, we have to talk about the novel with Falangist ideology, similar to rooted poetry. The novelists are young Falangists, consistent with the regime that was victorious in the war. They want to record the victory as a historic event. Rafael Sánchez Mazas and Tomás Borrás can be mentioned.
The Existentialist Novel
The existentialist novel merely expresses the conscience of the individual character or his story in
Read MoreSpanish Theater Evolution: 1939 to Present Day
Theater From 1939
Introduction: The theater scene was heavily influenced by the Franco regime. Censorship affected not only the text but could also lead to the suspension of a performance at any time. 1939 saw the resurgence of attempts at symbolic-poetic genres, romantic comedies, and tearjerkers in the style of Adolfo Torrado. The traditional court order was elusive, with witty, superficial bourgeois environments and elegant dialogues. Variants included ideological drama (Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena,
Read MoreAugustus of Prima Porta and Iphigenia’s Sacrifice: Roman Art
Sculpture in Roman Art
The Romans greatly admired sculpture. There was even a literary genre consisting of a description of artworks, known as *ekphrasis*, such as those by Pliny the Elder. The portrait is a significant contribution to Roman sculpture. There are equestrian portraits, group portraits, standing portraits, busts, and more. Materials used include marble, stone, and bronze.
The Roman portrait has three roots:
- Etruscan tombs
- The realism of Greek Hellenism
- The funerary mask and images of ancestors
The
Read MoreRoman Architecture: Temples and the Colosseum
Ara Pacis: A Monument to Peace
The Ara Pacis, an altar constructed in 13 BC, stands as a testament to Roman artistry. While many historical reliefs from this period depict warfare, the Ara Pacis uniquely celebrates peace, commemorating the end of the wars in Gaul and Spain. The central theme is a procession featuring the imperial family, judges, senators, and priests, all making offerings at the altar of Augustan Peace. Rome is personified as a woman. The altar is enclosed by a nearly rectangular
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