f there is something for which Spain is known around the world is, without a doubt, for its culture. Especially that related to the Fine Arts. And our country has given much and good. In this blog post we take a tour of the most famous Spanish artworks. Those that have decisively influenced the History of Art.
Las Meninas (Velázquez)
We couldn't start a list without putting this baroque masterpiece in first place. Las Meninas is known throughout the world as one of the greatest contributions to painting of all time. Aside from his extraordinary technique and Velázquez's masterful handling of light, we could say that the trick consists of an impenetrable mystery. What is happening in that room? Who are these people and who are they looking at?
El entierro del Conde de Orgaz (El Greco)
Greek from origin, Doménikos Theotokópoulos understood Spanish very well. In his works we can find mysticism and a certain extravagance. This work is one of the masterpieces of mannerism, a transitional style between the Renaissance and Baroque. To admire this painting, you will have to go to Toledo, specifically to the Church of Santo Tomé.
Saturno devorando a su hijo (Goya)
No one beats Goya in extravagance! Especially the darkest and most cryptic Goya: the Black Paintings conceived to decorate his famous Quinta del Sordo (a farm and country house where the painter lived). In the opinion of many, in these paintings we can find hints of some avant-garde movements of the 20th century, like expressionism. “His famous work Saturn devouring his son” impacts us because of its iconic nature, and of anguish it represents. It is not surprising that Goya turned to this theme. Since when he painted it, he was elderly and practical deaf.
Guernica (Picasso)
A painting icon of all time, this large-format painting, painted by Picasso after the shock caused by the bombing of Guernica has become one of the best-known anti-war statements in history. This giant canvas can be seen in Spain since 1992, since Picasso's will was that it never be taken to Spain as long as Franco's regime lasted. Today, we can admire its details at the Reina Sofía Art Museum. Contemplating it is always a shocking experience.
Galatea de las esferas (Dalí)
Among other places, you can see the work of Dalí in Madrid (Reina Sofía and Thyssen museums), and in Figueras (Dalí Theatre-Museum). Galatea of the spheres is a portrait of his beloved romantic partner Gala, created by superimposing spheres. A most interesting visual experiment that is the unmistakable trademark of the house.
Retrato de Picasso (Juan Gris)
Juan Gris, was a Spanish painter and exponent of Cubism known, among other things, for his famous Portrait of Picasso (the pioneer of the whole movement).
In this masterpiece dated 1912, the artist immortalized one of the most important figures of the 20th century, appealing to their characteristic integral cubism. These are: the most regular fracture of forms, diagonal structures, and simultaneous point of view of objects. He expressed himself through the use of a palette of cold tones of blue, brown and grey.
La maja desnuda (Francisco Goya)
A young naked model looks with shameless confidence at the viewer while she appears sensually lying down with her hands crossed behind her neck, her curly hair falling on the sides of her face. Her cheeks show a pink candor blushing and her eyes a look of mischief.
The painting was so scandalous since it was the first time a Spanish artist depicted the black line that connects the vulva with the navel in such a straightforward way.
The canvas represents the most explicit profane nude in the collection of Godoy, a highly renowned Spanish soldier and politician, who had a rich collection that includes the dressed version of the aforementioned masterpiece, in order to hide the most explicit details.
Mujer, pájaro, estrella (Joan Mirò)
He is considered one of the most original and influential artists of the 20th century. Joan Miró is often associated with an overflowing imagination. Also with a certain eccentricity and bold colors that create strange geometric constructions. He had a special connection with surrounding nature, and we can always identify a big sun in his representations.
The city of his birth is Barcelona, but you can know his work also in Madrid (at the famous Reina Sofía National Art Museum) and in Palma where Miró spent his final years. The influence of this artist on later creators is undeniable.
Pablo Picasso, Las señoritas de Aviñón (1907)
This 1907 painting is considered to be Picasso's first cubist work. Which, made in the master's African period, after “the pink era”, was probably inspired by the vision that the artist obtained from frequenting a Barcelona brothel, located on d'Avinyò street. The painting in question is the result of more than a hundred studies, within which the artist also included the presence of some male figures.
The picture shows five girls who offer themselves to the viewer's gaze, shamelessly showing their nakedness. Faces remind the viewer of traditional African masks.
Francisco Goya, El tres de mayo de 1808 (1814)
It evokes the horrors of war with great emotional force and is stylistically revolutionary.
“Los fusilamientos del tres de mayo” is displayed in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. In the work, Goya sought to commemorate Spanish resistance to Napoleon's armies during the occupation of 1808 in the Peninsular War. Along with its companion piece of the same size, The Second of May 1808, it was commissioned by the provisional government of Spain at Goya's own suggestion shortly after the ousting of the French occupation and the restoration of King Ferdinand VII.
