Catalan Modernism: Key Figures and Literary Trends
Catalan Modernism: A Movement of Artistic and Social Renewal
Modernism was a cultural, artistic, literary, and social renewal that took place between approximately 1892 and 1911. In France, it was known as Art Nouveau, and in England, as the Modern Style.
The movement was driven by an obsession to distance itself from the past and look towards the future. The 20th century was a constant celebration of newness.
Originally anti-bourgeois, in some cases radically so, it aligned with Catalan nationalist and leftist movements.
Two trends coexisted within Modernism:
- Regenerationism: Advocated for political and social change, aiming to regenerate society. It tended to be individualistic and saw art as a tool for social transition (e.g., Jaume Brossa).
- Aestheticism: Focused on the search for beauty, disregarding rules. Proponents believed that if change were to occur, it should be through art.
Both trends despised bourgeois society but also looked down upon the more popular classes, considering them as materialistic as the bourgeoisie.
Modernism can be divided into two stages:
- 1892-1900: A stage of fighting against bourgeois society. Notable publications include L’Avenç, Catalònia, and Quatre Gats.
- 1900-1911: A more literary and less ideological stage. Modernism was assimilated by the Catalan bourgeoisie, who were also its patrons. Joventut was a prominent publication during this period.
Bohemia: An anti-bourgeois figure who lived on the fringes of society, idealistic and extravagant.
- Black Bohemia: Truly lived on the margins of society (e.g., Brossa).
- Golden Bohemia: While criticizing the bourgeoisie, came from and lived well (e.g., Rusiñol).
Key influences on Modernism included Henrik Ibsen (An Enemy of the People) and Friedrich Nietzsche (the concept of the superman and the will to power). These figures were also major models for Symbolism and Decadence.
Symbolism and Decadence
Symbolism: A movement that emerged in France in reaction to realism.
- Focused on suggestion and the imaginary, often stemming from individual revolt.
- Key figure: Charles Baudelaire.
Decadence:
- Exaggerated some aspects of Symbolism.
- Reinterpreted the decadence of the fin de siècle.
- Sought the transformation of reality through art and beauty.
- Key figure: Gabriele D’Annunzio.
Key Figures of Catalan Modernism
Víctor Català (Caterina Albert) (1869-1966)
- Born in L’Escala.
- Major novelist of Modernism.
- Self-taught and from a rural background.
- Showed interest in painting and writing from a young age.
- Used a male pseudonym to keep her identity secret, as Catalan society rejected female writers.
- Notable work: Solitud, published in serial form in the magazine Joventut.
Rusiñol (1861-1931)
- One of the most emblematic figures of Modernism.
- Playwright, poet, novelist, painter, and cultural agitator.
- Came from the high Catalan bourgeoisie (Golden Bohemia).
- Prominent member of Els Quatre Gats.
- Organized Modernist festivals in Sitges.
- Aestheticist works: L’alegria que passa, Cigales i formigues.
- Comedy works: Els Jocs Florals de Canprosa, L’auca del senyor Esteve.
- Social critique: L’heroi.
Joan Maragall (1860-1911)
- Son of the Catalan bourgeoisie.
- Belonged to the Golden Bohemia.
- Studied law.
- Worked as a journalist.
- Awarded the title of Mestre en Gai Saber.
- President of the Ateneu Barcelonès.
- Major Modernist ideologue with significant impact on the country’s culture.
- Concept of poetry: Emphasized expression, creativity, and spontaneity.
- Notable works: La vaca cega, Cant espiritual, Oda a Espanya.
Miquel Costa i Llobera (1854-1922)
- Romantic period: Poesies.
- Classical period: Horacianes.
- Religiously inspired works: Visions de Palestina.
Antoni Maria Alcover (1862-1932)
- Close to the Renaixença movement.
- Friend of Rusiñol and Carner.
- Defender of the use of Catalan.
- Emblematic poem: Cap al tard.
- Awarded the title of Mestre en Gai Saber.
Joan Puig i Ferrater (1882-1956)
- Novelist and playwright.
- Most important work: Aigües encantades.