The artistic reality in 20th century Spain

The 20th century in Spain represents one of the most convulsive moments in the history of the country. From a few monarchical beginnings, passing through a dictatorship to end in the II Republic (1931-1936) that would end the Civil War (1936-1939). The war would bring almost 40 years of dictatorship with Franco. Now, with all this historical context, how do these changes affect Spanish art ?

In this course we will focus on the paradigmatic development of Spanish art through the different political moments where artists who create their work in the country converge, and those who do so in exile. Thus, for example, we will analyze how postmodern architecture floods large cities with the aim of remodeling and expanding cities as it happens with Madrid. In this sense, we will approach the work of Ricardo Bofill, Saénz de Oiza, Rafael Moneo and Santiago Calatrava, among others.

On the other hand, from the sculpture with the Madrid and Basque schools, we will study the most recognized works of artists such as Gargallo, Ibarrola and Chillida. In the pictorial sphere, through painting we find a great representation of artists and styles that are influenced by their origins thus shaping a very significant costumbrista painting. Thus, we will study some emblematic painters such as Sorolla, Zuloaga, Romero de Torres, Juan Gris or Joan Miró. And finally, we will conclude with the two painters representing cubism and surrealism in Spain : Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.