Monday
Celtic-Iberian
and Roman Art
As
an opening gambit we will briefly look at Spain's geographic context especially
in respect of its isolation and cultural connectedness. Then we will look at
the mysterious world of pre-Roman culture. Strange sculptural forms
representing bulls and pigs together with images of archetypal goddesses.As in
the rest of Europe, the arrival of the Romans changes everything and we will
look at the extraordinary impact they made especially in the built
infrastructure - great temples, theatres, walls, aqueducts and even a
lighthouse. After the collapse of the
Roman Empire the Visigoths arrived in Iberia and their material culture is
quite unmistakable.
Tuesday
Islamic
Art & The Romanesque
After
only a couple of centuries the people of north Africa migrated and displaced
the Visigoth kingdom. Islamic culture arrived and with it a new aesthetic
representing ideas from the middle east. We will consider the caliphate of
Cordoba and how it impacted on Iberian culture in so many ways. Alongside Moorish Spain we encounter a
flowering of Romanesque art in the north as the Christian Reconquest gathered
apace.
Wednesday
The
Rise of Gothic and the Impact of Neoclassicism and the Baroque
Emulating
architectural developments in France the Gothic style was adopted on the
peninsular thus cementing a distinct Christian imprint.
We will explore the rich Gothic heritage found in cathedrals such as that of
Burgos, Leon, Toledo, Valencia and
Seville. The Neoclassicism style of the Italian
Renaissance was to follow in great palaces and the Cathedral of Granada. This
morphs into the baroque extravaganza found in many churches across Spain.
Thursday
The
Golden Age of Spanish Art
In
this session we will celebrate the great artists of the so-called 'Golden Age'
- Fuelled by riches plundered from the New World we will look in detail at some
great masterpieces by El Greco, Velasquez, Murillo and others. The startling
work of Goya will conclude our indulgence and we will briefly assess how
Spanish art influenced others.
Friday
Modernism
and Contemporary Spain
Perhaps
one of the contradictions of Spain is its fraught relationship to the modern
world. At times, arch-conservative and then at other times (and places)
embracing change and radicalism. In this final session we will look at the
Modernism found in Catalunya, as well as the reactionary architecture of the
Franco era. Painters and sculptors will make a big appearance and we will ask
ourselves the question as to whether Picasso was essentially a Spanish or
French artist. Contemporary attitudes towards art and architecture will
conclude our course.
