What materials do Spanish artists paint with? Spanish artists - bright as the sun of their homeland

Spain. A country of bright sun, warm sea and fine wine. This is a country that has given us many famous names in various fields- in sports, cinema, literature. But Spain can also rightfully be proud of its artists. El Greco, Velazquez, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Francisco Goya - they all made an invaluable contribution to the development of world art.

For true connoisseurs of the works of Spanish masters, we offer a 3-day tour of the main museums dedicated to these great people.

1 day. Let's start with the capital and main city of the country - Madrid. Why is he interesting? For example, the fact that here you can find unique works by Francisco Goya. You will be able to visit the church best known as "Goya's Pantheon". It is significant in that the master's frescoes have been preserved on its walls. First of all, you should pay attention to the dome of the church, where Goya depicted an unusual religious story - the resurrection from the dead. In addition, the artist decorated the vaults of the chapel with amazing decorative compositions, in which the central place is given to angels. Also here are the remains of the great painter, transferred from France.

Next stop in Madrid is San Francisco El Grande, a temple from the late 18th century. Here you will see the painting "The Sermon of St. Bernardine of Siena", located in the chapel of San Bernardino. It is worth taking a closer look at this work: you will see the image of Goya, captured by him at the very last moment before handing over the work.

The rest of the time you can devote to walking through the cozy streets of Madrid or getting to know national cuisine in one of the many restaurants in the city.

Day 2 Flight to Barcelona. Another city and another, no less famous, artist - Pablo Picasso. It is here that the Picasso Museum is located - the largest collection of the master's works, where you can enjoy his work, and mainly from the early period (from 1895 to 1904).

It is interesting to note that this collection was originally created by a friend of the artist, Jaime Sabartes, after whose death Picasso personally donated more than 2.5 thousand of his works (engravings, drawings, ceramics) to continue his work.

Day 3 From Barcelona you will go to the wonderful city of Figueres (Spanish: Figueres), where the Theater-Museum of the famous surrealist Salvador Dali is located. The journey will take place by train, which will allow you to enjoy the picturesque views of Catalonia. The museum itself is a unique complex built according to the design of the artist himself on the ruins of the old municipal theater.

As conceived by Dali, it was supposed to be a kind of surreal labyrinth in which visitors could better understand the artist's intentions, as well as break away from the usual reality. In fact, the interior arrangement of the museum combines several architectural styles and various tricks that deceive human vision with the help of optical illusions. In addition, it contains the largest collection of works by the great Spanish genius, not only in painting, but also in sculpture, and even in jewelry.

Picture - A dream caused by the flight of a bee around a pomegranate, a second before awakening.
Year of creation - 1944,
Oil on canvas 51×40.5 cm
Tisenna-Barnemisza Museum, Madrid

If you believe the stories of Dali, he dozed at the easel, holding a key, brush or spoon in his hand. When the object fell out and hit a plate that had been placed on the floor in advance, the roar woke the artist. And he immediately set to work until the state between sleep and reality disappeared.

Dali said about the painting as follows: “The goal was for the first time to depict the type of long connected sleep discovered by Freud, caused by an instantaneous impact, from which awakening occurs.”
Freud described it as a dream, the plot of which is caused by some kind of stimulus from the outside: the subconscious of a sleeping person identifies this stimulus and turns it into images that have a certain resemblance to the source of irritation. If the irritant carries a threat in reality, then in a dream it will take on a threatening appearance that will provoke awakening.

At the bottom of the picture is a sleeping naked woman, as if hovering over a stone slab, which is washed by the sea. The sea in Dali's work means eternity. Freud compared the human psyche to an iceberg, nine-tenths submerged in the sea of ​​the unconscious.
The woman in the picture is Gala, whom the artist considered his inspiration and second self. She sees a dream depicted in the picture, and is on the border of two worlds - the real and the illusory, being simultaneously present in both.
A woman hears in a dream the buzzing of a bee over a pomegranate. The image of a pomegranate in ancient and Christian symbolism means rebirth and fertility.
“All life-giving biology arises from a burst pomegranate,” the artist himself commented on the picture.
The subconscious signals that the insect might be dangerous, and the brain reacts by bringing up images of snarling tigers. One animal jumps out of the mouth of another, and then in turn arises from the open mouth of a fish emerging from a huge pomegranate that hung over the sleeping one. Sharp claws and teeth are a symbol of fear of the sting of an insect, as is a gun with a bayonet that is about to pierce a woman’s hand.

“Bernini’s elephant in the background carries an obelisk and attributes of the pope,” the artist alluded to a dream about the funeral of the pope, which Freud had a dream because of the bell ringing and cited by a psychiatrist as an example of a bizarre connection between the plot and an external irritant.
The elephant from Piazza Minerva in Rome, created by the Baroque master Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini as a pedestal for an ancient Egyptian obelisk, was subsequently depicted by Dali more than once in paintings and in sculpture. Thin jointed legs are a symbol of the unsteadiness and unreality inherent in sleep.

Pablo Picasso, Guernica

Painting - Guernica
Year of creation - 1937.
Canvas, oil. 349 x 776 cm
Reina Sofia Art Center, Madrid

The painting was painted in May 1937 by order of the government of the Spanish Republic for the Spanish pavilion at the World Exhibition in Paris.
Picasso's expressive canvas became a public protest against the Nazi bombing of the Basque city of Guernica, when several thousand bombs were dropped on the city in three hours; as a result, the six thousandth Guernica was destroyed, about two thousand inhabitants were under the rubble.

Picasso's painting is full of personal feelings of suffering and violence.
On the right side of the picture, the figures run away from the burning building, from the window of which a woman falls; on the left, a sobbing mother holds her child in her arms, and a triumphant bull tramples a fallen warrior.
The broken sword, the crushed flower and dove, the skull (hidden inside the horse's body), and the crucifixion-like posture of the fallen warrior are all generalized symbols of war and death.
On the hands of a dead soldier, stigmata are visible (painful bleeding wounds that open on the body of some deeply religious people - those who "suffered like Jesus" The bull symbolizes evil and cruelty, and the horse symbolizes the suffering of the innocent.
Some Spaniards interpret the bull, a symbol of traditional Spanish bullfighting, as Spain itself, which turned its back on what is happening in Guernica (a reference to the fact that Franco allowed the bombing of his city).
Together, these violent figures form a semblance of a collage, silhouetted against a dark background, brightly lit by a woman with a lamp and an eye with an electric light bulb instead of a pupil. Monochrome painting, reminiscent of newspaper illustrations, and a sharp contrast of light and dark enhance the powerful emotional impact.

Francisco de Goya, Nude Maja

Painting - Nude Maha
Year of creation - 1795-1800.
Canvas, oil. 98x191cm
Prado Museum, Madrid

In the image of mahi, a Spanish townswoman of the 18th-19th centuries, the artist, contrary to strict academic canons, embodied a type of attractive, natural beauty. Maha is a woman whose meaning of life is love. Seductive, temperamental swings personified the Spanish understanding of attractiveness.
Goya created the image of the new Venus of his contemporary society, skillfully showing youth, lively charm, the mysterious sensuality of a seductive model.
The young woman is depicted against a dark background, so all the viewer's attention is drawn to the defiant nakedness of her silky skin, which, in fact, becomes the main and only theme of the picture.

In the words of the French writer and art historian Andre Malraux, this work is “not so much voluptuous as erotic, therefore it cannot leave indifferent any more or less sensual person.”

The painting was commissioned by Manuel Godoy, the first minister of Spain, a favorite of Queen Maria Luisa, wife of Charles IV. For a long time he hid it in his office. She was also paired with a second canvas - Macha dressed, which Godoy hung over the Nude.
Obviously, one of the shocked guests denounced the voluptuary, and in 1813 the Inquisition confiscated both paintings from Godoy, simultaneously accusing Goya of immorality and demanding that the artist immediately give the name of the model who posed for him. Goya, despite any threats, flatly refused to give the name of this woman.
With the light hand of the writer Lion Feuchtwanger, the author of the novel "Goya, or the Hard Way of Knowledge", the legend went around the world that the naked maha is Maria Cayetana de Silva, the 13th Duchess of Alba, with whom the artist allegedly had a love affair .
In 1945, in order to refute this version, the Alba family opened the tomb to measure the bones of the duchess and prove that its proportions did not match those of Macha, but since the grave had already been opened and the body of the duchess was thrown out by Napoleonic soldiers, then in its current state measurement failed.
Currently, most art historians are inclined to believe that the paintings depict Pepita Tudo, Godoy's mistress.

Diego Velazquez, Las Meninas

Picture - Las Meninas
Year of creation - 1656.
Canvas, oil. 318 x 276 cm
Prado Museum, Madrid

Probably Las Meninas is the most famous and recognizable painting by the artist, which is known to almost everyone. This large canvas is one of the best works of the artist. The picture impresses with its scale and versatility.

To expand the space, several masterful artistic techniques were used at once. The artist placed the characters in a spacious room, in the background of which there is a door with a gentleman in black clothes standing on the illuminated steps. This immediately indicates the presence of another space outside the room, visually expanding its dimensions, depriving it of two-dimensionality.

The whole image is slightly shifted to the side due to the canvas facing us with the back side. The artist stands in front of the canvas - this is Velasquez himself. He paints a picture, but not the one that we see in front of us, since the main characters are facing us. These are three different plans. But even this seemed not enough to the master and he added a mirror, which reflects the royal couple - King Philip IV of Spain and his wife Marianna. They lovingly look at their only child at that time - Infanta Margarita.

Although the painting is called Las Meninas, that is, ladies-in-waiting at the Spanish royal court, the center of the image is a little princess, the hope of the whole family of the Spanish Habsburgs at that time. Five-year-old Margarita is calm, self-confident and even arrogant beyond her age. She, without the slightest excitement and change in facial expression, looks at those around her, and her tiny baby body is literally shackled in the hard shell of a magnificent court toilet. She is not embarrassed by noble ladies - her meninas - who squat before her in a deep bow in accordance with the severe etiquette adopted at the Spanish court. She is not even interested in the palace dwarf and the jester who put his foot on a large dog lying in the foreground. This little girl carries herself with all possible grandeur, personifying the centuries-old Spanish monarchy.

The background of the room seems to dissolve in a light grayish haze, but all the details of the complex outfit of little Margarita are written out with the smallest details. The artist did not forget himself. Before us appears an imposing middle-aged man, with lush curly locks, in black silk clothes and with a cross of Sant'Iago on his chest. Because of this distinction, which only a full-blooded Spaniard could receive without a drop of Jewish or Moorish blood, a little legend arose. Since the artist received the cross only three years after painting the canvas, it is believed that the king of Spain himself completed it.

El Greco, Burial of the Count of Orgaz

Painting - Burial of Count Orgas
Year of creation - 1586-1588.
Canvas, oil. 480 x 360 cm.
Church of Sao Tome, Toledo

The most famous painting of the great and mysterious El Greco belongs to the heyday of his work. By this time, the artist had already developed his own style of writing, which cannot be confused with the styles of other painters.
In 1586, the master began to decorate the church of Sao Tome in Toledo. The legend of the Toledo saint, Don Gonzal Ruiz, aka Count Orgaz, who lived in the 13th-14th centuries, was chosen as the central plot. A pious devout Christian, he became famous for his charitable activities, and when he died in 1312, Saint Stephen himself and Blessed Augustine descended from heaven to give the earth a worthy deceased.
The picture is visually divided into two parts: "earthly" and "heavenly". The strict rhythm of the lower "floor" is opposed to the baroque "top". And there, at different heavenly levels, the soul of the count is met by John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary, angels and cherubs. Christ sits in the center. The flying angel is highlighted in white - it is he who elevates the count's soul to heaven.
Christ, an angel with a departed soul and a nobleman below form a vertical axis. Geometric lines in the construction of the composition were very characteristic of El Greco.
The expositional climax is shifted to the bottom of the work, to where Stefan and Augustine, bowing down, lower Orgaz into the ground. The saints are dressed in golden outfits, which echo the figure of an angel and the clothes of Peter in the upper zone. Thus, with golden color, the artist connected the heroes of the work, related to the world of heaven, the other world.

The painting was a huge success in Spain at the time of the artist. El Greco was later forgotten and rediscovered by the Impressionists. Expressive emotional work has a huge impact on the viewer. According to eyewitnesses, Salvador Dali even lost consciousness near the canvas. Perhaps this characterization is exhaustive.

It's more than pretty pictures, it's a reflection of reality. In the works of great artists, you can see how the world and the consciousness of people have changed.

Art is also an attempt to create an alternative reality where you can hide from the horrors of your time, or the desire to change the world. The art of the 20th century rightfully occupies a special place in history. The people who lived and worked in those days survived social upheavals, wars, and the unprecedented development of science; and all this found an imprint on their canvases. Artists of the 20th century took part in creating the modern vision of the world.

Some names are still pronounced with a breath, and some are unfairly forgotten. Someone was so conflicted creative way that we still cannot give him an unambiguous assessment. This review focuses on the 20 greatest artists of the 20th century. Camille Pizarro- French painter. An outstanding representative of impressionism. The artist's work was influenced by John Constable, Camille Corot, Jean Francois Millet.
Born July 10, 1830 in Saint Thomas, died November 13, 1903 in Paris.

Hermitage in Pontoise, 1868

Opera passage in Paris, 1898

Sunset at Varengeville, 1899

Edgar Degas - French artist, one of the greatest impressionists. On the work of Degas, the influence of Japanese graphics was traced. Born July 19, 1834 in Paris, died September 27, 1917 in Paris.

Absinthe, 1876

Star, 1877

Woman combing her hair, 1885

Paul Cezanne - French painter, one of the greatest representatives of post-impressionism. In his work, he sought to reveal the harmony and balance of nature. His work had a huge impact on the worldview of artists of the XX century.
Born January 19, 1839 in Aix-en-Provence, France, died October 22, 1906 in Aix-en-Provence.

Gamblers, 1893

Modern Olympia, 1873

Still life with skulls, 1900

Claude Monet- an outstanding French painter. One of the founders of impressionism. In his works, Monet sought to convey the richness and richness of the world around him. His late period is characterized by decorativeism and
The late period of Monet's work is characterized by decorativeism, the increasing dissolution of objective forms in sophisticated combinations of color spots.
Born November 14, 1840 in Paris, died December 5, 1926 in Zhverny.

Welk Cliff at Pourville, 1882

After lunch, 1873-1876

Etretat, sunset, 1883

Arkhip Kuindzhi - famous Russian artist, master of landscape painting. He lost his parents early. FROM early years began to show love for painting. The work of Arkhip Kuindzhi had a huge impact on Nicholas Roerich.
Born on January 15, 1841 in Mariupol, died on July 11, 1910 in St. Petersburg.

"Volga", 1890-1895

"North", 1879

"View of the Kremlin from Zamoskvorechye", 1882

Pierre Auguste Renoir - French painter, graphic artist, sculptor, one of the prominent representatives of impressionism. He was also known as a master of secular portraiture. Auguste Rodin became the first impressionist to become popular among wealthy Parisians.
Born February 25, 1841 in Limoges France, died December 2, 1919 in Paris.

Pont des Arts in Paris, 1867

Ball at the Moulin de la Galette, 1876

Jeanne Samary, 1877

Paul Gauguin- French artist, ceramic sculptor, graphic artist. Along with Paul Cezan and Vincent van Gogh, he is one of the most prominent representatives of post-impressionism. The artist lived in poverty because his paintings were not in demand.
Born June 7, 1848 in Paris, died May 8, 1903 on the island of Hiva Oa, French Polynesia.

Breton landscape, 1894

Breton village in the snow, 1888

Are you jealous? 1892

Saints Day, 1894

Wassily Kandinsky - Russian and German artist, poet, art theorist. Considered one of the leaders of the avant-garde of the 1st half of the 20th century. One of the founders of abstract art.
Born November 22, 1866 in Moscow, died December 13, 1944 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

Couple on horseback, 1918

Motley life, 1907

Moscow 1, 1916

In grey, 1919

Henri Matisse - one of the greatest French painters and sculptors. One of the founders of the Fauvist movement. In his work, he strove to convey emotions through color. In his work, he was influenced by the Islamic culture of the western Maghreb. Born December 31, 1869 in the city of Le Cateau, died November 3, 1954 in the town of Cimiez.

Square in Saint-Tropez, 1904

Outline of Notre Dame at night, 1902

Woman with a hat, 1905

Dance, 1909

Italian, 1919

Portrait of Delectorskaya, 1934

Nicholas Roerich- Russian artist, writer, scientist, mystic. During his life he painted over 7,000 paintings. One of the outstanding cultural figures of the 20th century, the founder of the "Peace through Culture" movement.
Born October 27, 1874 in St. Petersburg, died December 13, 1947 in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Overseas guests, 1901

Great Spirit of the Himalayas, 1923

Message from Shambhala, 1933

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin - Russian artist, graphic artist, theorist, writer, teacher. He was one of the ideologists of the reorganization of art education in the USSR.
Born November 5, 1878 in the city of Khvalynsk, Saratov province, died February 15, 1939 in Leningrad.

"1918 in Petrograd", 1920

"Playing Boys", 1911

Bathing a red horse, 1912

Portrait of Anna Akhmatova

Kazimir Malevich- Russian artist, founder of Suprematism - a trend in abstract art, teacher, art theorist and philosopher
Born February 23, 1879 in Kyiv, died May 15, 1935 in Moscow.

Rest (Society in top hats), 1908

"Peasant women with buckets", 1912-1913

Black Suprematist Square, 1915

Suprematist painting, 1916

On the boulevard, 1903

Pablo Picasso- Spanish painter, sculptor, sculptor, ceramist designer. One of the founders of cubism. The work of Pablo Picasso had a significant impact on the development of painting in the 20th century. According to a poll of readers of Time magazine
Born October 25, 1881 in Malaga, Spain, died April 8, 1973 in Mougins, France.

Girl on a ball, 1905

Portrait of Ambroise Vallor, 1910

Three Graces

Portrait of Olga

Dance, 1919

Woman with a flower, 1930

Amadeo Modigliani - italian artist, sculptor. One of the brightest representatives of expressionism. During his lifetime, he had only one exhibition in December 1917 in Paris. Born July 12, 1884 in Livorno, Italy, died January 24, 1920 from tuberculosis. Received world recognition posthumously World recognition received posthumously.

Cellist, 1909

Spouses, 1917

Joan Hebuterne, 1918

Mediterranean landscape, 1918

Diego Rivera- Mexican painter, muralist, politician. He was the husband of Frida Kahlo. Leon Trotsky found shelter in their house for a short time.
Born December 8, 1886 in Guanajuato, died December 21, 1957 in Mexico City.

Notre Dame de Paris in the rain, 1909

Woman at the well, 1913

Union of Peasants and Workers, 1924

Detroit industry, 1932

Marc Chagall- Russian and French painter, graphic artist, illustrator, theater artist. One of the greatest representatives of the avant-garde.
Born on June 24, 1887 in the city of Liozno, Mogilev province, died on March 28, 1985 in Saint-Paul-de-Provence.

Anyuta (Portrait of a sister), 1910

Bride with fan, 1911

Me and the village, 1911

Adam and Eve, 1912

Mark Rothko(real Mark Rotkovich) - American artist, one of the founders of abstract expressionism and the founder of color field painting.
The first works of the artist were created in a realistic spirit, however, then by the mid-40s, Mark Rothko turned to surrealism. By 1947, the most important turning point in the work of Mark Rothko happens, he creates his own style - abstract expressionism, in which he departs from objective elements.
Born on September 25, 1903 in the city of Dvinsk (now Daugavpils), died on February 25, 1970 in New York.

Untitled

Number 7 or 11

orange and yellow

Salvador Dali- painter, graphic artist, sculptor, writer, designer, director. Perhaps the most famous representative of surrealism and one of the the greatest artists XX century.
Designed by Chupa-Chups.
Born May 11, 1904 in Figueres, Spain, died January 23, 1989 in Spain.

Temptation of Saint Anthony, 1946

The Last Supper, 1955

Woman with a Head of Roses, 1935

My wife Gala, naked, looking at her body, 1945

Frida Kahlo - Mexican artist and graphic artist, one of the brightest representatives of surrealism.
Frida Kahlo started painting after a car accident that left her bedridden for a year.
She was married to the famous Mexican communist artist Diego Rivera. Leon Trotsky found refuge in their house for a short time.
Born July 6, 1907 in Coyoacan, Mexico, died July 13, 1954 in Coyoacan.

The Embrace of Universal Love, Earth, Me, Diego and Coatl, 1949

Moses (Creation Core), 1945

Two Fridas, 1939

Andy Warhole(real. Andrey Varhola) - American artist, designer, director, producer, publisher, writer, collector. The founder of pop art, he is one of the most controversial personalities in the history of culture. Several films have been made based on the life of the artist.
Born August 6, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died in 1963 in New York.

Spanish artists are known to all art lovers. Their paintings are in many museums around the world. Spain has given us a large number of people surprising with their talent in all areas of art. We will talk about several outstanding painters, because it is difficult to compile a complete list.

Prado Museum

The collection of this royal collection is surprising in that it contains almost all the outstanding Spanish artists, and there are no foreign ones. This can be explained by the fact that, from the 16th century to the 19th century, they all served at the court of kings. Another very large customer was the Church. Therefore, in the paintings we often see religious subjects. Private orders were quite rare, and painting was the property of a narrow circle of its connoisseurs. Let us now turn our attention to some outstanding representatives of this school.

Renaissance era

Great, brilliant painters gave us the time of the late Renaissance. The Spanish Renaissance artists are undoubtedly El Greco, de Ribera, Zurbaran and Velasquez. We will focus on a brief biography of the latter. He was born in Seville and quickly became in his native land famous painter. He went to Madrid, but he did not manage to get to the royal court right away. Pretty soon he became a court painter.

This happened in 1623, when the artist painted a portrait of King Philip IV. To improve, Diego Velasquez went to Italy, visited Genoa, Milan, Venice and Rome. After that, his palette played bright colors. Only after 1630 his work can be called mature. He paints a lot of portraits of jesters and dwarfs, penetrating deeply into the innermost inner world people offended by nature. After the second trip to Italy, from 1651, the late, most perfect period of this master begins. He uses new techniques, and portraits of infants, ladies of the royal family, a deeply psychological portrait of Philip IV, as well as large-scale paintings of Spinners and Las Meninas come out from under his brush. He died in 1660. He is 61 years old. D. Velasquez had a huge impact on the development of world painting, and many, not only Spanish, artists studied at his works.

Painter, draftsman and engraver

We begin a brief conversation about F. Goya. His work defies any one definition. It is free from conventions, filled with passion, unbridled fantasy. We will present the canvas, which is made in a light elegant rococo style.

For us, this is an unusual Goya. The picture is called "Autumn. Vintage". She captivates with her cheerfulness. This work is entirely decorative and pleasing to the eye. In general, Spanish artists learned from the painter a different, more satirical depiction of life.

Other genre

Still lifes were painted in imitation of the Flemings in XVII century when the Spaniards discovered them. The background of these paintings is usually dark. Paintings Spanish artists are characterized by carefully calibrated composition, fine drawing of each flower and petal, bug or butterfly. They also depict moments of food preparation. The works are so believable that, looking at them, you want to eat heartily.

Shown here is a still life by Luis Meléndez. He was an outstanding master who knew how to show mouth-watering food. All products are prepared. We are only waiting for a chef who will turn them into delicious dishes.

famous spanish artist

In the 20th century it is difficult to choose who is more known to the general public - P. Picasso or S. Dali. Picasso created over twenty thousand works. His pre-war canvases are usually divided into four periods, when he experimented with color and form. Later, he felt that painting had a greater range of influence on the viewer, and this was reflected in his canvases. His works are most expensively valued at auctions. The creator himself said that he wanted to live like a poor person, but at the same time be rich. The eccentric S. Dali amazed his contemporaries not only with his mustache and fantastic canvases that came to him from dreams, but also with antics that actively worked for advertising.

Commercial activity, thanks to his wife, was very successful, and only very wealthy people could buy his work.

Not all of the listed Spanish painters represent their homeland here. Modern Spanish artists work mostly in a realistic or romantic style. There is a place for fantasy, but it occupies a small part. Their paintings include landscapes, portraits, animalistic works, and still lifes.

Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists)

Spain (Spanish: España).
Spain The country of Spain.
Spain State of Spain.

SPAIN!
In ancient times, this country was called Iberia!
The Greeks called Spain Hesperia - the country of the evening star, and the Romans called it Hispania.!
But no matter how they call Spain, this is a country that has always aroused and continues to arouse admiration and surprise!

The official name of the state of Spain is the Kingdom of Spain.
The Kingdom of Spain is a state in southwestern Europe. The Kingdom of Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula.
Spain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the north and west, as well as the Mediterranean Sea in the south and east.
Spain It is believed that the name of the country comes from the Phoenician expression "i-spanim", which means "coast of rabbits".
Spain The capital of the Kingdom of Spain the city of Madrid
Spain The largest cities in Spain are: Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Malaga
Spain The Kingdom of Spain borders:
in the west of the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal;
in the south of the Iberian Peninsula with the British possession of Gibraltar;
in northern Africa with Morocco (enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla);
in the north with France and Andorra.
Spain Today, more than 45 million people live in the Kingdom of Spain.
Spain Chief National holiday in the Kingdom of Spain it is the Day of the Spanish Nation, which is celebrated annually on October 12 (the date of the discovery of America by the most famous Spaniard Christopher Columbus is chosen as the Day of the Spanish Nation!).

Spain History of Spain
Spain Ancient history Spain Primitive Society
Spain Primitive society The first traces of the appearance of man in the north of the Iberian Peninsula date back to the end of the Paleolithic. Stylized drawings of animals on the walls of caves appeared about 15 thousand years BC. e. The best preserved paintings are in Altamira and in Puente Viesgo near Santander.
Spain Primitive society In the south and east of the territory of modern Spain in the III millennium BC. e. Iberian tribes appeared. Some hypotheses suggest that the Iberian tribes came here from the territory of North Africa. From these tribes comes the ancient name of the peninsula - Iberian. In the middle of the II millennium BC. e. Iberians began to settle in fortified villages on the territory of modern Castile. And five centuries later they were joined by the Celtic and Germanic tribes.
Spain Primitive society The Iberians were mainly engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and hunting, they knew how to make tools from copper and bronze. The Iberians had their own script. The Celts and Iberians lived side by side, sometimes uniting, but more often fighting with each other, and, in the end, created the Celtiberian culture, becoming famous as warriors. It was here that the double-edged sword was invented, which later became the standard weapon of the Roman army.

Spain History of Spain Ancient Spain
Spain History of ancient Spain The first colonies on the territory of modern Spain belonged to the Phoenicians. Around 1100 B.C. e. The Phoenicians settled on the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, where their colonies of Malaka, Gadir (Cadiz), Cordoba and many others were founded.
Spain History of ancient Spain On the east coast of modern Spain (modern Costa Brava), the colonies were founded by the ancient Greeks. After 680 B.C. e. the city of Carthage became the main center of Phoenician civilization, and the Carthaginians established a trading monopoly in the Strait of Gibraltar. On the east coast, Iberian cities were founded, reminiscent of the Greek city-states.
Spain The history of ancient Spain In Andalusia, from the first half to the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. there was a state of Tartessos. The origin of the inhabitants of Tartessos - the Turdetans, obviously close to the Iberians, but standing at a higher stage of development, still does not have a sufficiently indisputable version.
Spain History of ancient Spain In the V-IV centuries BC. e. the influence of Carthage is increasing, the empire of Carthogen at that time occupied most of Andalusia and the Mediterranean coast. The largest colony of the Carthaginians on the Iberian Peninsula was New Carthage (modern Cartagena).
Spain History of ancient Spain At the end of the First Punic War, Hamilcar and Hannibal subjugated the south and east of the peninsula to the Carthaginians (237-219 BC). The defeat of the Carthaginians (whose troops were led by Hannibal) in the Second Punic War in 210 BC. e. paved the way for the establishment of Roman domination in the Iberian Peninsula. The Carthaginians finally lost their possessions after the victories of Scipio the Elder (206 BC).
Spain The history of ancient Spain The Romans tried to bring the entire territory of the Iberian Peninsula under their citizenship, but they succeeded only after 200 years of bloody wars. The Celtiberians and Lusitanians (under the leadership of Viriatus) resisted especially stubbornly, and the Cantabri only in 19 BC. e. were conquered by Emperor Augustus, who divided Spain instead of the previous two provinces (Hispania citerior and Hispania ulterior) into three - Lusitania, Batica and Tarraconian Spain. From last emperor Hadrian separated Gallaecia from Asturias.
Spain The history of ancient Spain and the Roman Empire gave a powerful new impetus to the development of Spain. Roman influence was strongest in Andalusia, southern Portugal and the Catalan coast near Tarragona. The Basques were never fully Romanized, while the other pre-Roman peoples of Iberia were already assimilated by the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. e.
Spain The history of ancient Spain and the Roman Empire During their reign, the Romans spent many military roads in Spain and set up numerous military settlements (colonies). Spain in that period was rapidly Romanized, even becoming one of the centers of Roman culture and one of the most flourishing parts of the Roman Empire, to which Spain gave its best emperors (Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus, Marcus Aurelius, Theodosius) and remarkable writers (both Senech, Lucan, Pomponius Melu, Martial, Quintilian and many others).
Spain The history of ancient Spain and the Roman Empire Trade flourished on the territory of Spain, industry and agriculture were at a high level of development, the population was very numerous (according to Pliny the Elder, under Vespasian there were 360 ​​cities).
Spain History of ancient Spain For the first two centuries of our era, gold from Spanish mines served as a source of wealth for the country. Villas and public buildings were built in Mérida and Cordoba, and the inhabitants used roads, bridges and aqueducts for many centuries. Several bridges in Segovia and Tarragona have survived to this day.
Spain The history of ancient Spain The three living Spanish languages ​​are rooted in Latin, and Roman law became the foundation of the Spanish legal system. Christianity appeared on the peninsula very early, for some time Christian communities were subjected to severe persecution.
Spain History of ancient Spain In the V century AD. e. barbarians poured into the Iberian Peninsula - the Germanic tribes of the Sueves, Vandals, Visigoths and the Sarmatian tribe of the Alans, which accelerated the collapse of the already declining Roman Empire.
Spain History of ancient Spain In 415, the Visigoths appeared in Spain, first as allies of the Romans. Gradually, the Visigoths drove the Vandals and Alans into northern Africa and created a kingdom with its capital in Barcelona, ​​and then in Toledo. The Sueves settled in the northwest in Galicia, creating the Suevian kingdom.
Spain History of ancient Spain The state of the Visigoths suffered from many shortcomings that undermined its existence; huge social inequality was inherited from Roman times between a few owners of huge latifundia and the mass of the population, ruined by taxes and oppressed; the Catholic clergy acquired excessive power and, in alliance with the nobility, interfered with the consolidation of a firm order of succession to the throne, in order to narrow the limits of royal power as far as possible in the election of each new king; a new class of disaffected arose as a result of the forced conversion of Jews (according to Gibbon, the number of forcibly converted reached 30,000).
Spain The history of ancient Spain Despite all the difficulties, the Visigoths, making up only about 4% of the population, in the VI century AD. e. they annexed the Suebi to their kingdom, and by the 8th century they also ousted the Byzantines (who settled in the south and southeast of the peninsula in the middle of the 6th century).
Spain History of ancient Spain The three-hundred-year rule of the Visigoths on the territory of the Iberian (Perinean) peninsula left a significant mark on the culture of the peninsula, but did not lead to the creation of a single nation. The Visigothic system of electing a monarch created a fertile ground for conspiracies and intrigues. Although in 589 the Visigothic king Reccared I converted to Catholicism, this did not remove all the contradictions, religious strife only intensified. By the 7th century, all non-Christians, especially Jews, were faced with a choice: exile or conversion to Christianity.

Spain History of Spain Byzantine Spain
Spain Byzantine Spain was conquered from the Visigothic kingdom by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The springboard for the invasion of Visigothic Spain was the lands of the Vandal kingdom defeated by the Byzantines in North Africa, including the fortress of Ceuta. The Byzantine army managed to advance deep into the Iberian Peninsula for 150-200 km, subjugating the Guadalquivir valley, Andalusia and the southern coastal strip from the Algarve to Valencia. Byzantine Spain also included the Balearic Islands, in which, due to their more eastern geographical position, the influences of Byzantine culture proper were most strongly felt.
Spain Byzantine Spain The provincial capital was probably Cordoba, then Cartagena and/or Malaga. The overwhelming majority of the population of Byzantine Spain, as well as Spain as a whole, were Romano-speaking Hispano-Romans (Ibero-Romans). Representatives of German Arianism, Western (Roman) and Eastern (Constantinople) Orthodox Christianity (including Orthodoxy) coexisted in the region. Relations between representatives of the three faiths were rather cool, although not as antagonistic as in Visigothic Spain.
Spain Byzantine Spain Until now, the boundaries of the territory occupied by the Byzantines in Spain are not exactly known, although a formal agreement on the existence of a border between the Byzantine and Visigothic possessions was drawn up around 555. It provided for the free crossing of the border in any direction, which was soon taken advantage of by the strengthened Visigothic kings. Very soon, the Visigoths began to make predatory raids in the countryside, and only isolated fortified cities recognized the power of the Byzantine emperor or his governor.
Spain Byzantine Spain In 568 - 586, Leovigild captured almost all of Byzantium's inland possessions in Spain. After that, Byzantium controlled only a narrow coastal strip south of the Sierra Nevada mountains. By 624, the Visigoths captured the last Byzantine cities, but already in 711, Spain was covered by a wave of Arab invasion under the banner of Islam.

Spain History of Spain Muslim domination Moors
Spain History of Spain In 711, one of the Visigothic clans called for help from the Arabs and Berbers from North Africa, who were later called the Moors. The Mauritanian corps was led by Tariq ibn Ziyad (the name Gibraltar comes from his name - the distorted "Jabal Tariq" - "Tariq's Rock"). The Arabs crossed from Africa to Spain and, with a victory near Jerez de la Frontera, on the river called Wadi Becca by the Arabs, they put an end to the Visigothic state that had existed for almost 300 years. Almost all of Spain was quickly conquered by the Arabs and formed part of the great Umayyad Caliphate.
Spain History of Spain The rapid conquest of the peninsula by the Moors in just a few years is an amazing example of the rapid spread of Islam. Despite the desperate resistance of the Visigoths, ten years later only the mountainous regions of Asturias remained unconquered.
Spain History of Spain Until the middle of the VIII century, the Mauritanian territories were part of the Umayyad Caliphate, the origin of the name of the Mauritanian state Al-Andalus dates back to the same time, the territory of which either increased or decreased, depending on the success of the Reconquista.
Spain History of Spain The Arabs (Moors) at first treated the population of conquered Spain very mercifully and spared their property, language and religion. Their domination eased the position of the lower classes and the Jews, and the transition to Islam provided slaves and forced laborers with freedom. Many of the free and noble also accepted the new faith, and soon most of the Arab subjects belonged to it. At the same time, the Moors were very tolerant of Christians and Jews, granted autonomy to various areas and made a huge contribution to the development of Spanish culture, creating a unique style in architecture and fine arts.

Spain History of Spain Reconquista
Spain History of Spain The Christian Reconquista (in translation - "reconquest") is a continuous centuries-old war against the Moors, started by part of the Visigothic nobility led by Pelayo. In 718, the advance of the expeditionary force of the Moors at Covadonga was stopped.
Spain History of Spain Pelayo's grandson Alfonso I (739-757), son of the first Cantabrian duke Pedro and Pelayo's daughter, connected Cantabria with Asturias. In the middle of the VIII century, the Asturian Christians under the leadership of King Alfonso I, taking advantage of the Berber uprising, occupied neighboring Galicia. In Galicia, the tomb of Saint James (Santiago) was claimed to have been discovered, and Santiago de Compostela becomes a center of pilgrimage.
Spain History of Spain Alfonso II (791-842) undertook devastating raids against the Arabs up to the Tajo River and conquered the Basque country and Galicia up to the Minho River. At the same time, in the north-west of Spain, the Franks, under Charlemagne, stopped the advance of Muslims into Europe and created the Spanish March in the north-east of the peninsula (the border area between the possessions of the Franks and the Arabs), which broke up in the 9th-11th centuries into the counties of Navarre, Aragon and Barcelona (in 1137 Aragon and Barcelona united to form the Kingdom of Aragon) and ensured, by numerous migrations, the dominance of Christianity in Catalonia. In the almost unceasing wars with the infidels, a brave feudal nobility developed. To the north of the Duero and the Ebro, four groups of Christian possessions gradually formed, with legislative assemblies and rights recognized by the estates (fueros):
1) in the north-west of Asturias, Leon and Galicia, which in the tenth century under Ordoño II and Ramiro II were united into the kingdom of León, and in 1057, after a short subjugation of Navarre, the son of Sancho the Great, Fernando, were united into the kingdom of Castile;
2) the Basque country, together with the neighboring region, Garcia, was proclaimed the kingdom of Navarre, which, under Sancho the Great (970-1035), extended its power to the whole of Christian Spain, was united with Aragon in 1076-1134, but then freed again;
3) a country on the left bank of the Ebro, Aragon, since 1035 an independent kingdom;
4) the hereditary margraviate of Barcelona, ​​or Catalonia, which arose from the Spanish brand. Despite this fragmentation, the Christian states were not inferior in strength to the Arabs.
Spain The history of Spain, the Reconquista, led to the fact that the Spanish peasants and residents of the cities who fought along with the knights received significant benefits. Most of peasants did not experience serfdom, free peasant communities arose on the liberated lands of Castile, and cities (especially in the XII-XIII centuries) received greater rights.
Spain History of Spain When, after the fall of the Umayyad dynasty (1031), the Arab state fell apart, the county of Leon-Asturias, under the rule of Ferdinad I, received the status of a kingdom and became the main stronghold of the Reconquista. In the north, at the same time, the Basques founded Navarre, and Aragon merged with Catalonia as a result of a dynastic marriage. In 1085, the Christians captured Toledo, and then Talavera, Madrid and other cities fell under the power of the Christians. Summoned by the Emir of Seville from Africa, the Almoravids gave new strength to Islam with victories at Sallak (1086) and Ucles (1108) and again united Arab Spain; but the religious fervor and military courage of the Christians at the same time received a new impetus from the crusades.
Spain History of Spain The Almoravides (1090-1145) briefly stopped the spread of the Reconquista. The period of their reign includes the exploits of the legendary knight Cid Campeador, who conquered the lands in Valencia in 1095 and became a national hero of Spain.
Spain History of Spain In 1147, the African Almoravides, overthrown by the Almohads, turned to the Christians for help, who took possession of Almeria and Tortosa on this occasion. The Spanish knightly orders (Calatrava from 1158, San Yago de Compostella from 1175, Alcantara from 1176) fought especially successfully against the Almohads, who subjugated southern Spain, who made up for the defeat at Alarcos (1195) with a victory at Las Navas de Tolosa (July 16, 1212). It was the most impressive victory over the Almohads, which was won by the united kings of León, Castile, Aragon and Navarre. This was soon followed by the fall of the power of the Almogads.
Spain History of Spain Battle of Merida (1230) Extremadura was taken from the Arabs; after the battle of Jerez de Guadiana (1233), Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236 led his army to Cordoba, and twelve years later to Seville. The Portuguese kingdom expanded almost to its present size, and the king of Aragon conquered Valencia, Alicante, and the Balearic Islands. Muslims moved in thousands to Africa and to Grenada or Murcia, but these states also had to recognize the supremacy of Castile. The Muslims who remained under Castilian rule more and more adopted the religion and customs of the conquerors; many rich and noble Arabs, having been baptized, passed into the ranks of the Spanish aristocracy. By the end of the 13th century, only the Emirate of Grenada remained on the peninsula, forced to pay tribute.
Spain History of Spain While the external power of Castile increased greatly due to the victories of Ferdinand III, turmoil raged inside the country, which, especially during the reign of the patron of science and art, Alphonse X the Wise (1252-1284) and his immediate successors, served as a source of unrest and increased power nobility. Crown lands were plundered by private individuals; communities, unions and powerful nobles resorted to lynching and were freed from all power.
Spain History of Spain In Aragon, James I (Jaime, 1213-1276) subdued the Balearic Islands and Valencia and penetrated as far as Murcia. The son of James I - Pedro III (1276-1285) successfully continued the work begun by his father. Pedro III took Sicily from the house of Anjou. Later, James II (1291-1327) conquered Sardinia and in 1319, at the Diet in Tarragona, established the indivisibility of the state.
Spain History of Spain These conquests cost the Aragonese kings many concessions to the estates, of which the Zaragoza "general privilege" of 1283 is especially important. In 1287, Alphonse III added to it the "privilege of the union", which recognized the right of subjects to revolt in case of violation of their freedom. In both states the clergy were the most powerful class; victories over the infidels increased his rights and wealth, and his influence on the lower classes of the people aroused in them a spirit of persecution and fanaticism. The higher nobility included among its rights the right to refuse obedience to the king. All nobles were free from taxes. Cities and rural communities had their own special rights (fueros), recognized for them by special treaties. In both states, the estates gathered at the Diets (Cortes), conferring on the welfare and security of the country, on laws and taxes. Trade and industry were protected by provident laws. The royal court patronized the poetry of the troubadours. Most of all, the internal improvement of the state advanced in Aragon under Pedro IV (1336-1387), who eliminated some of the burdensome aspects of noble privileges, among other things, the right to war. Thanks to these measures, when the old dynasty died out (1410), the Castilian in the person of Ferdinand I (1414-1416) came to the throne, who retained power over the Baleares, Sardinia and Sicily and for a short time took possession of Navarre as well.
Spain History of Spain In Castile, on the contrary, the higher nobility and orders of chivalry dominated. The desire of cities for independence from the feudal aristocracy was not crowned with success due to the tyranny of Pedro the Cruel (1350-1369). The French and the British intervened in the strife caused by it. By the 14th century, the temporary alliances of the Christian kingdoms had disintegrated, and each began to pursue its own personal interests. Henry II (1369-1379), who took possession of Biscay, and Juan (John) I (1379-1390) weakened the kingdom with fruitless attempts to conquer Portugal, but the two-year war ended with the defeat of the Castilian army in 1385, when Portugal victoriously defended its independence at the Battle of Alhubarrota.
Spain History of Spain However, victories over the Arabs went on as usual: in 1340, Alfonso XI won a brilliant victory at Salado, and four years later, Grenada was cut off from Africa by the conquest of Algeziras.
Spain History of Spain Henry III (1390-1406) restored order and took possession of the Canary Islands. Again Castile was thrown into disarray by the long and feeble reign of Juan II (1406-1454). The unrest that grew under Henry IV ended with the accession to the throne of his sister Isabella. She defeated King Alfonso of Portugal and subdued her recalcitrant subjects with weapons.

Spain History of Spain Unification of Spain into the Kingdom of Spain
Spain History of Spain In 1469, a significant event for the future of Spain took place: the marriage between Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, whom Pope Alexander VI called "Catholic kings." Ferdinand II of Aragon, after the death of his father, John II of Aragon, in 1479 inherited the Kingdom of Aragon, the union of the Castilian and Aragonese crowns marked the beginning of the Kingdom of Spain. Nevertheless, the political unification of Spain was completed only by the end of the 15th century; Navarre was annexed in 1512.
Spain History of Spain In 1478, Ferdinand and Isabella approved the church court - the Inquisition, designed to protect the purity of the Catholic faith. The persecution of Jews, Muslims, and later Protestants began. Several thousand suspects of heresy went through torture and ended their lives at the stake (auto-da-fe - initially the announcement, and then the execution of the sentence, in particular, public burning at the stake). In 1492, the head of the Inquisition, the Dominican priest Tomaso Torquemada, convinced Ferdinand and Isabella to persecute non-Christian people throughout the country. Torquemada burned in the fires of the Inquisition anusim - (en: Anusim - "forced"), Jews who were forced to convert to another religion, but in one way or another they observed the prescriptions of Judaism. Many Jews fled from Spain, but the Jews still lived better than other Catholics and held high positions, for example, Don Yitzhak Abarbanel was the Minister of Finance at the court of the Spanish king.
Spain History of Spain To put an end to wrongdoing by the nobility, the ancient Hermandad brotherhood was restored. Top positions passed into the hands of the king. The higher Catholic clergy were subject to royal jurisdiction. Ferdinand was elected Grand Master of the three orders of chivalry, which made them obedient instruments of the crown. The Inquisition helped the government keep the nobility and people in obedience. The administration was reorganized, the royal revenues increased, some of them went to the promotion of sciences and arts. In 1492, numerous Jews (160,000 thousand) were expelled from the state.
Spain History of Spain With the conquest of Grenada by Spain (January 2, 1492), the time of the Reconquista ends. And in the same year, Christopher Columbus reaches America and establishes Spanish colonies there. The discovery of America gave Spain a wide field of activity on the other side of the ocean.

Spain History of Spain Golden Age of Spain
Spain Golden Age of Spain The end of the Reconquista and the beginning of the conquest of America allowed Spain to become for a short time the strongest political power in Europe. The ambitions of the numerous Spanish nobility (hidalgo) and the inspiration from the success of the centuries-old "holy war" under the banner of the Catholic faith made the Spanish army one of the strongest in the world and demanded new military victories.
Spain The golden age of Spain Already in the wars for Italy in 1504 Naples was conquered by Spain. The heiress of Ferdinand and Isabella was their eldest daughter Juana, who married Philip I, son of Emperor Maximilian I of Habsburg. When Philip died young in 1506, and Juana went mad, Ferdinand was appointed guardian of her son Charles by the Castilian estates, who conquered Oran in 1509 and annexed Navarre to Spain in 1512. After the death of Ferdinand (1516), Cardinal Jimenez assumed the regency until the arrival of the young king Charles I, who in 1517 took over personally. Charles of the House of Habsburg in 1519 becomes, under the name of Charles V, also Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
Spain Golden Age of Spain When Charles was elected German emperor in 1519 (as Charles V) and therefore left Spain again (1520), the Communeros revolted against the absolutism of Charles and his Dutch advisers in the name of the national institutions of Iberia. But with the victory of the noble militia at Villalar (April 21, 1521) and the execution of Padilla, the uprising was pacified.
Spain The golden age of Spain After the suppression of the uprising, Charles V issued a full amnesty. But at the same time, he took advantage of the fear that the Communero movement had caught up with the nobility in order to narrow down the old privileges and liberties. The Cortes turned out to be incapable of resisting the government, the nobility began to look at loyalty as their main duty, and the people patiently submitted to the royal power and its conquest plans. The Cortes unquestioningly began to supply Charles V with money for the war with France, enterprises against the Moors in Africa, and the suppression of the Schmalkaldic League in Germany. For the Habsburgs and for the spread of the Roman Catholic faith, Spanish troops fought on the banks of the Po and Elbe, in Mexico and Peru.
Spain The golden age of Spain Meanwhile, in Spain itself, the industrious Moriscos were oppressed and expelled, thousands of Spaniards were sent to the fires by the Inquisition, every attempt to freedom was suppressed. The industry, trade and agriculture of the Spanish kingdom perished from an arbitrary system of taxes. Not only the nobility, but also peasants and townspeople, sought to go to war and public service. This policy has led most people to view other urban and rural pursuits with contempt. The Church owned large areas of land that came to her at the expense of direct heirs. These were deserted or turned into pastures, and the amount of cultivated land decreased more and more. Trade passed into the hands of foreigners who benefited both from Spain and from its colonies. When Charles V resigned the crown in 1556, the Austrian possessions of the Habsburgs and Spain again separated from each other. Spain retained in Europe only the Netherlands, Franche-Comte, Milan, Naples, Sicily and Sardinia. The goals of Spanish policy remained the same. Spain became the center of Catholic reactionary politics.
Spain The Golden Age of Spain At the beginning of the 16th century, the Spanish colonial empire was formed (based on colonial conquests in America). The Spanish Empire reached its peak in the 16th century with the expansion of the colonies in South and Central America and the capture of Portugal in 1580.

Spain History of Spain The Spanish kingdom became the owner of extensive colonies. The proceeds from the colonization of the New World were directed by the Spanish crown mainly to achieve political goals, which were the restoration of the dominance of the Catholic Church in Europe and the dominance of the Habsburgs in European politics.
Spain History of Spain In parallel with this, in Spain there is a rapid stratification of property of the nobility, the elite of which discovers a taste for luxury. However, the influx of gold from across the ocean did not contribute to the development of the country's economy; numerous Spanish cities remained predominantly political, but not trade and craft centers.
Spain History of Spain Trade and craft were concentrated in the hands of the descendants of the Muslim population, the Moriscos.
Spain History of Spain Ultimately, the financing of wars and the needs of the court and the Spanish nobility took place through a constant increase in the tax burden, confiscation of the property of "unreliable" sections of society, primarily Moriscos, as well as internal and external loans, often forced (damage to coins, "donatives" ). All this worsened the situation of the population and even more suppressed the development of trade and crafts, exacerbating the economic and then political backwardness of Spain from the Protestant countries of Northwestern Europe.

Spain History of Spain Economic decline of Spain
Spain History of Spain From the middle of the 16th century, economic decline began in Spain. Rigid ill-conceived external and domestic politics. Incessant wars, exorbitant (and at the same time regressive) taxes inevitably led Spain to a serious economic decline.
Spain History of Spain The son of Charles V, Philip II, decided to move the capital of the kingdom from Toledo to Madrid, which required a lot of resources and meant a new era in the political history of Spain. Spanish absolutism began to suppress the relatively broad rights of estates, provinces and religious minorities that had been preserved since the Reconquista. The Catholic Church and the Inquisition turned out to be closely connected with the state apparatus and acted as its repressive tools. In 1568 there was an uprising of the Moors, which was suppressed two years later after a bloody war. 400,000 Moriscos were evicted from Grenada to other parts of the country.
Spain History of Spain The progressive disintegration of the state apparatus, which served as an instrument of enrichment for the nobility, led to a decline in the quality of internal and external administration and the weakening of the Spanish army. Despite defeating the Turks at Lepanto in 1571, Spain lost control of Tunisia. The policy of terror and violence of the Duke of Alba in the Netherlands led to an uprising of the local population, which the Spanish crown, despite the enormous costs, was unable to suppress. An attempt to return England to the bosom of the Catholic Church ended in the death of the "invincible armada" in 1588. Spanish intervention in religious strife in France only led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries and the strengthening of the French monarchy.

Spain History of Spain Economic decline of Spain
Spain History of Spain After the death of the Spanish King Philip II, the government for a long time is in the hands of various groups of nobility. Under King Philip III (1598-1621), the country was ruled by the Duke of Lerma, as a result of whose policy the once richest state in Europe became bankrupt in 1607. The reason for this was the enormous cost of maintaining the army, part of which was appropriated by senior officials, led by Lerma himself. The kingdom was forced to conclude peace agreements with the Netherlands, France and England. In 1609, the eviction of the Moriscos from Spain began, but the proceeds from the confiscation of their property did not compensate for the subsequent decline in trade and the desolation of many cities, led by Valencia.
Spain History of Spain Under Philip IV, the foreign and domestic policy of the state was led by the greedy and intolerant Duke of Olivares. Spain intervenes in another conflict between Austria and the Protestants of Central Europe, resulting in the Thirty Years' War. The entry into the war of Catholic France deprived the conflict of religious grounds and led to disastrous consequences for Spain. Mass dissatisfaction with high taxes and the arbitrariness of the central authorities caused uprisings in a number of Spanish provinces, in 1640 Catalonia seceded from the crown, followed by the secession of Portugal. At the cost of abandoning centralization and losing Portugal, the government managed to keep Spain from disintegrating, but the former foreign policy ambitions were over. In 1648, Spain recognized the independence of the Netherlands and the equality of Protestants in Germany. According to the Peace of the Pyrenees (1659), Spain ceded Roussillon, Perpignan and part of the Netherlands to France, and Dunkirchen and Jamaica to England.
Spain History of Spain During the reign of the seriously ill King Charles II (1665-1700), Spain turns from a subject of European politics into an object of French territorial claims and loses a number of possessions in Central Europe. From joining Catalonia to France, Spain was saved only by an alliance with recent opponents - England and the Netherlands. The Spanish economy and its state apparatus fell into a state of complete decline. By the end of the reign of King Charles II, many cities and territories were depopulated. Due to the lack of money in many provinces returned to barter. Despite exceptionally high taxes, the once luxurious court of Madrid was unable to pay for its own maintenance, often even a royal meal.

Spain History of Spain Bourbon era
Spain History of Spain With the death in November 1700 of Charles II, who left no heirs, the question of who should be the new king led to the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) between France and Austria with its allies, the main of which was England. France elevated to the Spanish throne Philip V of Bourbon (grandson of Louis XIV), who remained king at the cost of ceding possessions in the Netherlands and Italy to Austria. For many decades, the political life of Spain began to be determined by the interests of its northern neighbor.
Spain History of Spain The accession of the Bourbons to the royal throne of Spain meant the coming to government posts of immigrants from France and Italy, led by Alberoni, which contributed to some improvement in the state apparatus. Following the example of French absolutism, taxation was centralized, and the privileges of the provinces were abolished. Attempts to limit the rights of the Catholic Church, the only structure that enjoyed broad public confidence, failed. In foreign policy, Bourbon Spain followed in the footsteps of France and took part with it in the costly Polish and Austrian wars for the treasury. As a result, Spain received Naples and Parma, which immediately went to the younger lines of the Spanish Bourbons.
Spain History of Spain In the middle of the 18th century, during the reign of Ferdinand VI, a number of important reforms were carried out in the country. Taxes were lowered, the state apparatus was updated, and by the concordat of 1753, the rights of the Catholic clergy, primarily financial, were significantly limited. Further transformations of Carlos III (1759-88) in the spirit of the Enlightenment and his ministers Aranda, Floridablanca and Campomanes led to positive results. In Catalonia and some port cities, the development of manufactory production began, and transatlantic trade with the colonies flourished. However, the development of industry and transport in the country, due to the complete economic decline of the previous time, was possible only by the state and required large loans. At the same time, the finances of the crown were depleted by the need to support and protect the colonies and participation in the wars waged by France.
Spain History of Spain With the accession of the weak and incapable of state affairs Charles IV, the situation in Spain worsened again, and the actual power passed into the hands of the favorite of Queen Godoy. The revolution in France forced Spain to defend the deposed Bourbons. However, the war with revolutionary France was conducted by Spain inactively and led to the French invasion of the north of the country. Economic and political weakness led Spain to sign the extremely disadvantageous Treaty of San Ildefonso (1796), which required Spain to enter the war against England. Despite the obvious lagging behind of the Spanish army and navy and the series of defeats that followed, Spain remained in alliance with Napoleonic France until the remnants of the Spanish fleet were destroyed at Trafalgar (October 20, 1805). Skillfully using the ambition of Godoy, Napoleon, promising him the Portuguese crown, achieved the conclusion of another military alliance between France and Spain.
Spain History of Spain This decision, drawing an exhausted and starving Spain into a new war for foreign interests, caused a popular uprising against Godoy, which led to the abdication of King Charles IV from the throne on March 18, 1808 in favor of his son Hernando. However, the new king Hernando VII was summoned by Napoleon to negotiate with his father, which, under French military and political pressure, ended with the transfer of the crown to Joseph Bonaparte.
Spain History of Spain On May 2, 1808, at the news of Hernando's departure to France, a rebellion broke out in Madrid, which the French managed to suppress only after a bloody struggle. Provincial juntas were formed, the guerrillas armed themselves in the mountains, and all the accomplices of the French were declared enemies of the fatherland. The brave defense of Zaragoza, the removal of Joseph from Madrid, and the general retreat of the French contributed to the enthusiasm of the Spanish. At the same time, Wellington, with an English corps, landed in Portugal and began to oust the French from there. The French nevertheless defeated the Spaniards and on December 4 again entered Madrid.
Spain History of Spain A massive guerrilla war began in Spain, led by the central junta established in September 1808 in Aranjuez. At first, all sections of Spanish society, nobles, clergy and peasants, with the same zeal, sought to expel the invaders, who controlled only large cities and responded to the resistance of the Spaniards with cruel terror. By early 1810, the odds had shifted to the side of the French, as the Spanish elite became more loyal to Joseph. The defenders of the country's independence in Cadiz established a regency, convened the Cortes, and adopted a constitution (March 18, 1812), based on the old Spanish traditions of communal self-government and the principles of democracy. At the same time, organized resistance to the French was provided only by the English troops of Wellington, who on July 22, 1812 defeated the French at Salamanca, but could not keep them in Madrid.
Spain History of Spain The devastating defeat of the Napoleonic army in Russia changed the situation in Spain as well. On May 27, 1813, King Joseph left Madrid with French troops, but was defeated by Wellington at Vittoria on June 21. The French were expelled from Spain, but the question of the further political structure of the country remained open.

Spain History of Spain Restoration of the Bourbons
Spain History of Spain King Hernando VII was released by Napoleon to his homeland, but the Cortes demanded that he swear allegiance to the constitution, which he refused to do. The intervention of the army, going over to the side of the king, General Elio, decided the issue in favor of an absolute monarchy. After the dispersal of the Cortes and entry into Madrid, King Hernando VII promised amnesty and the adoption of a new constitution, but began his reign with repression both against those who supported Joseph Bonaparte and against the most liberal supporters of the Cortes. The army and the clergy became the backbone of the monarchical power of King Hernando VII.
Spain History of Spain Court intrigues and the weak policy of King Hernando VII did not contribute to the restoration of order either in internal or external affairs. During the French occupation of Spain, a war of independence began in its overseas colonies, during which the local elites broke away from the weakened mother country. In Spain itself, discontent was accumulating among the people. As a result, the troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Riego (January 1, 1820) proclaimed the constitution of 1812 and set up a provisional government in Isla de León, which issued a proclamation to the people. After going over to the side of the rebellious provinces and Madrid, King Hernando VII swore allegiance to the constitution and convened the Cortes. Their activities were directed mainly against the property privileges of the church - the clergy were taxed, but this did not improve the state of affairs in the country. In view of the absence of the bourgeoisie, the liberal undertakings of the Cortes were perceived negatively in society, especially among the peasantry. The Catholic opposition was gaining strength in the provinces and the country again began to slide into anarchy.
Spain History of Spain According to the results of the elections held on March 1, 1822, the radicals received a majority of votes, after which the forces loyal to the king made an unsuccessful attempt to occupy Madrid. King Hernando VII was forced to seek foreign assistance, and in the autumn of that year the Holy Alliance decided on armed intervention in the affairs of Spain. In April 1824, a French expedition under the command of the Duke of Angouleme (95 thousand soldiers) crossed the border and defeated the Spanish troops. Already on April 11, the Cortes, having captured the king, fled from Madrid, where on May 24 the Duke of Angouleme entered, enthusiastically received by the people and the clergy. Surrounded in Cadiz, the Cortes returned absolute power to the king, but the resistance of the liberals continued for another two months. 45 thousand French soldiers remained in Spain to protect the Bourbons.
Spain History of Spain In 1827, King Hernando VII decisively suppressed the rebellion in Catalonia of supporters of his brother Carlos, and three years later issued the so-called pragmatic sanction, which repealed the Salic law introduced by the Bourbons in 1713, and introduced succession to the throne through the female line. In October 1832, Queen Christina was declared regent for her daughter Isabella in the event of the king's death. former minister Zea-Bermudez stood at the head of the administration, announced an amnesty and convened the Cortes, who on June 20, 1833 swore allegiance to Isabella as heir to the throne.
Spain History of Spain Don Carlos, on April 29, 1833, in Portugal proclaimed himself King of Spain, Charles V. He was immediately joined by the Apostolic Party, the Basque provinces and Navarre, whose ancient benefits fueros, including the right to duty-free import of goods, were not recognized by the liberals. The Carlist uprising began in October 1833 with the appointment of a junta and general armament. The Carlists soon occupied Catalonia. The Madrid government of the "Christinos" (named after the regent) could not suppress the rebellion, as it experienced deep divisions. In 1834 it was accepted new constitution, which caused discontent among the radical liberals, who in 1836 raised an uprising and forced Christina to return to the constitution of 1812.
Spain History of Spain However, soon the new president of the council of ministers, Calatrava, convened the Cortes, which subjected the old constitution to revision. During this time, Don Carlos won a number of victories, but disagreements in the ranks of supporters led to his retreat to France. Not wanting to continue the war, the Cortes confirmed the fueros of the Basque provinces. By the end of the summer of 1840, all of Spain was under the control of the Madrid government. General Espartero gained popularity and forced Queen Christina to give up her regency and leave the country. On May 8, 1841, Espartero was elected regent, but two years later he was forced to flee to England after a general rebellion of the army.
Spain History of Spain On November 8, 1843, the conservative majority of the Spanish Cortes declared the 13-year-old Queen Isabella an adult. Changes soon followed in political life countries - rival generals and favorites of the young queen succeeded each other at the helm of the state, her mother Christina was returned from exile, a high property qualification was introduced for elections to the Cortes, senators were appointed for life by the crown, and the Catholic religion was declared state.
Spain History of Spain An increasing role in the government of the country was played by the army. In 1854, after another rebellion, General Espartero was again appointed first minister, but did not stay long in this post. His successor O'Donnel suppressed several military uprisings, repelled an attempt by the Carlist pretender Count Montemolin to land in Spain (1860), but also could not stay in power. General Narvaez, who replaced him, at the head of the government, relied on the clergy and persecuted the liberals. Shortly after his death in 1868, a general revolt began in the country and Isabella fled to France.
Spain History of Spain At the head of the provisional government of the Unionists and Progressives stood Serrano, who first of all abolished the Jesuit order and declared freedom of the press and education. Since the convened Spanish Cortes did not agree on the candidacy of a new monarch, Serrano became regent. The authority of Madrid in the northern provinces of Spain was low - Carlists and Republicans became more active there.
Spain History of Spain after long negotiations, the son of the Italian king Amadeus agreed to accept the Spanish crown, but after two years of ongoing anarchy and open struggle of political parties supported by various army officers, he returned to his homeland in Italy. The Cortes proclaimed a republic and elected as president Figveras, a federalist republican who sought to expand the rights of the Spanish provinces and cities in order to secure their loyalty to Madrid. Figveras was soon displaced, the north of the country fell away from Madrid, where the Carlists seized power, and Andalusia, where a group of radical federalists formed their own government. Castelar's troops regained control of Andalusia, but he was soon deposed, and Serrano returned to rule the country, also deposed a year later. This was the end of the history of the first Spanish Republic.
Spain History of Spain Since the Carlists were not popular, the eldest son of Isabella Alfonso was invited to take the vacant throne.

Spain History of Spain The election of Alfonso XII seemed to many, especially officers, the only way out of the chaos. Agreeing with the most influential people, General Martinez Campos on December 29, 1874 in Segunto proclaimed Alfonso XII King of Spain.
Spain History of Spain The reign of the new monarch, King Alfonso XII, was successful - the Carlists were defeated, the Basque lands were deprived of fueros, and the centralized government of the country was restored. Tidying up has begun financial system, rebellions were suppressed in Cuba and in the northern provinces of Spain. Politically, Spain in these years drew closer to Germany and Austria-Hungary, as opposed to France, whose interference in Spanish affairs ceased. During these years, industry and trade began to develop in Spain, the appearance of the country's largest cities changed. Liberal transformations were carried out: universal suffrage and jury trials were introduced.
Spain History of Spain In 1886, after the death of the young king Alfonso XII, his newborn son Alfonso XIII became the new monarch, with his mother as regent, who continued her husband's policy. At the turn of the century, tourism began to develop in Spain. Unrest in the north of the country continued repeatedly, Catalonia and the Basque country were ahead of the agrarian provinces of central and southern Spain in economic development, a layer of intelligentsia was formed in large cities, advocating autonomy and democratic reforms. Since the end of the 19th century, in connection with the growth of autonomist movements in the Spanish provinces, a large-scale polemic about the “essence of Spain” (about the “two Spains”) begins, which continues, with some interruptions, to the present.
Spain History of Spain Defeat in the Spanish-American War and the loss of the last overseas colonies led to an increase in protest moods in Spanish society. During the First World War, Spain was neutral, but its economy was seriously affected.

Spain History of Spain The collapse of the European monarchies and the spread of socialist ideas among the poor urban intelligentsia led to a series of riots. The rebels demanded social and political transformations - the abolition of noble privileges, secularization, and the establishment of republican rule. In the face of growing instability, General Miguel Primo de Rivera rebelled and seized power in Catalonia, soon the king granted him exclusive powers. It was announced the creation of a "military directory", the introduction of martial law, the abolition of the constitution, the dissolution of the Cortes. During the years of Primo de Rivera's rule, Spain achieved victory in Morocco and some internal stability through repressions against anarchists. Government guarantees ensured an influx of investments into the country and an increase in the well-being of the population. However, the general uncertainty of foreign and domestic policy and the growing radicalization of society led to the resignation of Primo de Rivera. The struggle for power began radical Republicans and Falangists, led by his son José Antonio.

Spain History of Spain On April 14, 1931, as a result of mass protests, the Spanish monarchy was overthrown and Spain became a republic again. This did not bring stability to Spanish society, since the traditional contradictions between the conservative-monarchist and the republican wing were supplemented by disagreements between the Republicans themselves, in whose ranks there were various forces from supporters of liberal capitalism to anarchists. The ongoing terror, the inability of the authorities to resolve economic problems, the threatening international situation led to the growth of popularity in the army circles of the Spanish Falange, its rebellion in 1936 and the bloody civil war, which ended in 1939 with the capture of Madrid by the rebels and the establishment of the life-long dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
Spain History of Spain The years of Franco's reign are the period of conservative modernization of Spain. The country did not participate in the Second World War, in the post-war period it enjoyed the support of many Western powers. In the 1950s and 60s, the Spanish "economic miracle" occurs, associated with an influx of investment in a previously backward agrarian country, urbanization and the development of industry and tourism. At the same time, political rights and freedoms were limited in the country for a long time, repressions were carried out against separatists and adherents of leftist views. Franco bequeathed after death to restore the monarchy and transfer the throne to Juan Carlos, the grandson of the deposed Alfonso XIII. The will of the dictator was carried out.

Spain History of Spain History of modern Spain
Spain History of Spain In 1947, on the initiative of Francisco Franco, Spain was again declared a kingdom (however, the throne remained unoccupied under the regency of the "caudillo" Franco himself).
Spain History of Spain In November 1975, after the death of Franco, according to his will, Juan Carlos I was proclaimed king of Spain, the dismantling of the former regime and new democratic reforms began. In December 1978, a new constitution was adopted and entered into force in Spain.
Spain History of Spain In 1985, Spain joined the European Union (EU). Today the Kingdom of Spain is a highly developed prosperous country with a developed industry and agriculture. The Kingdom of Spain is an interesting country with friendly people and its bright colors. national traditions. Spain is loved and willingly visited by numerous tourists!

Spain Culture of Spain
Spain Painting and sculpture of Spain
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish artists)Spain Culture of Spain Spain is considered to be an open-air museum. The vastness of this country carefully preserves cultural and historical monuments that are world famous.
Spain Culture of Spain Most famous museum Spain - Prado Museum - located in Madrid. Its vast exposition cannot be seen in one day. The museum was founded by Isabella of Braganza, wife of King Ferdinand VII. The Prado has its own branch, located in Cason del Buen Retiro, which houses unique collections of Spanish paintings and sculptures of the 19th century, as well as works by English and French painters. The museum itself presents large expositions of Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Flemish and German art.

Spain Culture of Spain The Prado Museum owes its name "Prado" to the Prado de San Jeronimo alley, where it is located, laid back in the Enlightenment. Currently, the funds of the Prado Museum are 6,000 paintings, over 400 sculptures, as well as numerous treasures, including royal and religious collections. During several centuries of its existence, the Prado Museum was patronized by many kings.
Spain Culture of Spain It is believed that the very first collection of the Prado Museum was formed under King Carlos I, known as the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. His heir, King Philip II, became famous not only for his bad temper and despotism, but also for his love of art. It is to him that the museum owes priceless acquisitions of paintings by Flemish masters. Philip was distinguished by a gloomy outlook, it is not surprising that the ruler was a fan of Bosch, an artist known for his bizarre pessimistic fantasy. Initially, Philip bought Bosch's paintings for El Escorial, the hereditary castle of the Spanish kings. And only in the XIX century the paintings were transferred to the Prado Museum. Now here you can see such masterpieces of the Dutch master as the "Garden of Delights" and "Hay Cart". Currently, in the Prado Museum you can enjoy not only paintings and sculptures, but also theatrical performances designed to "revive" the famous canvases. The first such staging at the Prado Museum was dedicated to the paintings of the famous Spanish artist Velasquez and enjoyed great success with the public.

Spain Culture of Spain There are many more unique museums and galleries on the territory of the Kingdom of Spain.
Spain Culture of Spain The most famous museums in Spain with world fame:
1. The Picasso Museum and the National Art Museum of Catalonia, located in Barcelona.
2. National Museum of Sculpture in Valladolid.
3. El Greco Museum in Toledo.
4. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
5. Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in Cuenca.

Spain Culture of Spain Painting of Spain
Spain Spanish painting Artists of Spain (Spanish artists)
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists) Frenzy and passion, intense search for meaning in love and death - painting in Spain is unthinkable without this. Both El Greco and Salvador Dali capture their great and nothing similar country, its people and its history, while using new means of expression. If the architecture of Spain was mainly imitative, then the painting is certainly original. It is in Spain that the strangest, strongest and most scary pictures in world culture: Toledo landscapes and El Greco's apostolic series, Goya's "black" etchings, Picasso's Guernica, Dali's surrealistic visions...
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish artists) As A. Benois accurately noted, “among the Spaniards, the artistic preference for black paint, gloomy partial shade fully corresponded to spiritual experiences, relentless thoughts about the sadness of earthly existence, about the redemptive benefit of suffering, about poetry and the beauty of death.”
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists) Spain's painting has left a significant mark in the world history of fine arts. The brilliant flowering of painting begins with the appearance in Spain in 1576 of the painter Domenico Theotokopuli, nicknamed El Greco, since he was of Greek origin and was born on the island of Crete (1541-1614).
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists) The artist El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) studied in Italy with the famous Titian and was invited to Spain by Philip II. El Greco moved to Spain in 1575 and settled in the city of Toledo. El Greco became the founder and head of the Toledo art school and wrote mainly on commission from the monasteries and churches of Toledo.
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish artists) The unusual, at first glance recognizable style of the artist El Greco (elongated figures, intensely frenzied poses and faces of characters, the predominance of a silver-blue color scheme) developed precisely in Toledo Today, the artist El Greco and the Spanish city of Toledo are inconceivable friend without a friend. Some of the famous works of El Greco (for example, "The Burial of Count Orgaz") were intended for Toledo temples and never left the city. You can see these unique works of the genius of world art El Greco only there.
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Painters) Another master of Spanish painting, Luis Morales (c. 1510-1586), also painted religious scenes full of austerities and suffering. The paintings of Luis Morales can be compared with the best works of the famous El Greco in terms of their impact on the viewer. The whole life of Luis Morales was spent in the city of Badajoz, a small town near the Portuguese border, and his works are kept in the museums of Toledo, Madrid and other cities.
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish artists) Many Spanish artists deservedly belong to the category of classics of world painting. Among them are Jose de Ribera, Francisco Zurbaran, B. E. Murillo and D. Velasquez, who already in his youth became the court painter of Philip IV. The famous paintings by Velasquez "Las Meninas" or "Ladies of Honor", "Surrender of Breda", "Spinners" and portraits of royal jesters are in the most famous Prado Museum in Madrid.
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists) The political and social upheavals of the 18th and 19th centuries are reflected in the work of Francisco Goya, for example, his "Shooting of the rebels on the night of May 3, 1808", as well as the series "Disasters of War". The fear-inducing "black paintings" created shortly before the death of the master are not only an expression of his own despair, but also evidence of the political chaos of that time.
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish painters) The period of 18-19 centuries is generally characterized as a period of calm in the Spanish art of painting, closed on imitative classicism.
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Painters) The revival of the great Spanish painting takes place in the first half of the 20th century. They paved new paths in world art - the initiator and bright representative surrealism in painting Salvador Dali (1904-1989), one of the founders of cubism Juan Gris (1887-1921), abstractionist Juan Miro (1893-1983) and Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), who contributed to the development of several areas of modern art.
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish artists) Miro and Dali were faithful to Spain until the end of their lives. They left their homes only for the duration of wars and exhibitions. Pablo Picasso received his art education in A Coruña, Barcelona and Madrid, and from 1904 he lived and worked in Paris. By order of the Spanish government in 1937, Pablo Picasso painted his "Guernica" - a tragic symbol of the Civil War, during which a small Basque town was destroyed. In the same year, 1937, Juan Miro wrote "Help Spain" - a furious and bright, memorable poster, and Salvador Dali - a painting "Premonition of Civil War" with spread and intercepted bodies.
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists) The essence of Spanish painting can best be characterized by the expression of Salvador Dali himself, which he cited in his autobiography: “In order to become Dali, you must first of all be a Spaniard, or rather a Catalan, in other words, a creature equipped for delirium and paranoia, able to penetrate them to the very depths, like the fishermen of Cadaqués, who are in the habit of decorating the altar statues with their catch - dying lobsters. The spectacle of agony makes the fishermen with special force sympathize with the passions of the Lord. Indeed, in such a "live" living of religion - the whole soul of Spain, from El Greco to Dali.

Spain Modern Spain Painting of Spain
Spain Spanish painting today Artists of Spain (Spanish artists)
Artists of Spain Sculptors of modern Spain
Spain Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists) Today, a new generation of Spanish artists, sculptors, and masters of fine art photography lives and works in the Kingdom of Spain. Modern Artists of Spain (Spanish artists) create new original paintings and sculptures.

Poets about Spain Poems about Spain
Spain country great culture!

Spain is a country of sun, sea, mountains, Flamenco, Corida and beautiful people!

"Where nature captivates, as in a fairy tale
Mountains are wonderfully white in the distance.
Rubens, Velasquez worked there,
Picasso and Goya, Dali.
Where the bright sun shines
And where marvelous dreams, dreams.
Spain conquers us again
Everything sparkles in the rays of beauty.
Where the gold of the beaches sparkles
Oranges and palm trees grow
And such a beauty all around!
And Marbella gardens are blooming!
Where fields and vast open spaces,
Where the transparent wave splashes
And crystal clear sea
It's a wonderful country there!
Where there are flamenco songs and dances,
The sound of castanets is heard loudly,
Where are the cheerful faces of the Spaniards,
That country is not more beautiful!

Poets dedicate their poems to Spain Artists of Spain paint wonderful pictures!
Spanish artists Pictures of Spanish artists
Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists) In our gallery you can get acquainted with the works of the best Spanish artists and Spanish sculptors.

Artists of Spain (Spanish Artists)In our gallery you can find and purchase for yourself the best works of Spanish artists and Spanish sculptors.