Romantic painting and romanticism in Spain
Romanticism is an artistic and literary movement that arises in England and Germany and will extend at the end of the S. XIX for the rest of Europe.
Romanticism in Spain is brief and late (1833) for various political reasons:
- The War of Independence (1808-1814). It was a rebellion of the Spanish people against the Frenchman José Bonaparte, imposed on the throne thanks to his brother Napoleon Bonaparte. Start of problems: Treaty of Fountinebleau (10/27/1807) between Godoy and Napoleon. The end of this treaty was to join both the French and the Spanish troops for the conquest of Portugal. One of the clauses that this treaty had was the accommodation of the French troops in Spain, due to the limitation of this with Portugal. Due to this mere occupation of the French troops in the main Spanish capitals, the Spanish monarchy of Carlos IV of Bourbon was surprised by these, since they began to seize the country. With the end of the conflict, Fernando VII recovers the throne and absolutism returns.
- Fernando VII’s absolutist reign. He recovered the throne and establishing the absolute monarchical absolute. Result: Mass exile of lawyers, intellectuals, doctors and military of liberal convictions to other countries (England- Duke of Rivas), (France-Martínez de la Rosa and Larra). Where they will discover the romantic literature that is cultivated in Europe. After the death of the King, the constitutional political regime that made the exiles who had to leave the country during the absolutist reign were established, in addition this led to the triumph of Romanticism. His reign had a duration of 48 years. (1784-1833)
For the rest of Europe, Spain had characteristics that satisfied all aesthetic ideals. They praise: freedom, landscapes, heroic history, traditions, etc. In addition, it had various literary elements that give rise to various romantic issues: the romance, medieval literature, Cid, etc.
Literary romanticism in Spain is something confusing and complex. We can see three typologies in literature: traditional romanticism and liberal romanticism.
- Traditional romanticism: defends the traditional associated values or in relation to the homeland and church. That is, they were intended to recover the values that had been discarded by rationalism in the SXVIII. (The homeland, monarchy, religion, etc.)
- Liberal or revolutionary romanticism: Hegelian historicism and dialectic. Believed in the rights of the individual. Representative author: Espronceda.
- Intimistic romanticism: there is only talk of the intimate, thoughts of the poet and the opposition of the desired with reality. Representative: The German Heine.
Literary romanticism is characterized by subjectivity, imagination, freedom of thought, expression and its love for nature. That is, it was a lifestyle that was totally against the determined norms of the moment and was expressed through literature.
In an era where reason and intellectuality had a very important role, imagination and sensitivity were a way of expressing the various parameters and attitudes in force in society.
At that time the romantic novels abound and compare or match human beings with characters from these.
It was needed to give a change and get out of generations of dictatorships that suggested in a certain way.
Because of that, romanticism is mainly characterized by the abundance of feelings, reason for being and the great desire for freedom.
The triumph of Romanticism in Spain begins with the premiere of the play of the Duke of Rivas, the conjuration of Venice (1834), and Don Álvaro or the strength of the sir (1835). Its maximum degree of glow was between 1835 and 1840.
So romanticism could define it as that movement that is against neoclassicism, the one that would give preference to the feelings to the leather.
This movement marked a before and after in history, since despite the situation that occurred at the time, through this one wanted to carry out a change to a better life and acceptance of freedom of expression.
Phases of romanticism
- Preromanticism: During the 18th century, various pre -romantic features will appear in some neoclassical authors. Jovellanos in the honest offender. Meléndez Valdés’ melancholic tone and humanitarian ideas. Quintana, which will begin a characteristic social tone of posterior lyric.
- Phase 1: (1800-1833). This phase is characterized by romantic works translations. Romantic ideal: it is perceived more in life and ideas than in literature.
- Phase 2: (1833-1844). Fullness time. Better romantic dramas (Martínez de la Rosa and Duque de Rivas).
- Phase 3: (1855-1849) Decadence of the movement and disappearance of the main romantic figures. Even so, there is an inopportune resurgence with Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro
Some of the most important Spanish romantic writers are:
- The Duke of Rivas: he is a well -known writer, poet, playwright and politician of Spanish romanticism. He managed to become president of the Government for two days. Most famous work: "Don Álvaro" or the "Force of the Si".
- José de Espronceda: considered the most representative writer of the first stage of Spanish romanticism. He died at 34. Works: "The student of Salamanca".
- Mariano José de Larra: one of the best known writers of romanticism in Spain, along with Bécquer. He stood out for his irony and critical capacity in all kinds of writings, essays and newspaper articles. WORK: "Go back tomorrow".
- José Zorrilla: He is a Spanish poet who carried out various styles of poetry: epic, lyrical and dramatic. Works: "Don Juan Tenorio", "El Zapatero and El Rey".
- Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer: Perhaps the writer of Spanish and recognized Spanish romanticism, although some already classify him within post -romanticism. His talent was recognized after his death. Works: "Rhymes and legends", "Letters from my cell".
- Rosalía de Castro: Galician novelist and poet born in "Santiago de Compost", "Follas Novas", "On the banks of the SAR".
Romantic painting in Spain:
With the rise of the bourgeoisie in the reign of Isabel II, new tastes in terms of arts will be discovered. Maximum representatives of romantic feelings: painting.
The portrait genre will dominate above the painting derived from religion, for the simple fact that the bourgeois wanted to be portrayed by their prestige in these.
Main representatives of romantic painting: Leonardo Alenza and Nieto (the suicide of the romantic poet).
Leave feedback