This term, I am diving fully into the world of 19th-century Spanish Romanticism. Given the political turmoil we see in our world today, I believe it is vital to look back and see how past eras processed their crises in order to move forward.
Teaching this pivotal era of Spanish art unlocks a profound understanding of how a nation constructed its modern identity through a turbulent period of revolution, empire loss, and cultural shifting.
By exploring these specific genres, I aim to provide my students with a vivid roadmap of how art transitions from political propaganda to intimate social critique and global romantic myth-making.
Specifically, focusing on Spanish Romanticism allows us to explore:
- The raw emotional response to the political chaos, war, and shifting social structures following the Napoleonic era.
- The shift from objective reality to inner passion, tragedy, and the sublime, as epitomized by dark, dramatic masters like Francisco de Goya.
--------- AGENDA
Tuesday 22nd September, 2026 will launch the season with a lecture on Spain's Romantic Historical Genre
- Reveals how nations use art for myth-making and legitimizing power during times of instability.
- Fosters critical thinking by showing how grand, large-scale depictions of medieval heroes or imperial victories were engineered to spark 19th-century patriotism.
📍 Then in October we will explore Spain's 19th-c Regional Identity by comparing Madrid vs. Andalusia Romantic genres - this will be a 2 part lecture series
- Madrid Genre: Focuses on the gritty urban reality, satirical social hierarchies, and the distinct working-class pride (casticismo) of the capital's streets and cafes.
- Andalusian Genre: Emphasizes festive folklore, vibrant colour, and idealized flamenco or bullfighting scenes, which heavily shaped the regional identity of southern Spain.
🕌 Then in November we will explore Spain's fascination with Morocco through the artists and paintings of the Romantic Exotic Genre (Exotismo)
- Exposes the foreign and domestic romanticizing of Spain, particularly Islamic Andalusia—as an "exotic, untamed Orient" right at Europe's doorstep.
- Introduces critical concepts like Orientalism, demonstrating how artists capitalized on international fascination with Moroccan themes, gypsies, and bandoleros.
💃 We will wrap up the season with the genre called Costumbrismo (The Foundation)
- Captures the visual diary of everyday life, pivoting away from elite royal portraits to document the customs, festivals, and struggles of ordinary people.
- Serves as a vital sociological record of the tension between Spain's traditional roots and the approaching wave of industrialization.
NOTE:
"If you cannot join me in my studio in Benitachell, no worries!
I will also be streaming these lectures live over Zoom.
Stay tuned for official dates and scheduling updates, coming very soon!"
***NEW ONLINE SHOP***
I have finally found a 24/7 multi-payment platform for my eBooks & Study Guides. Many of you know that I am leaving Amazon as they are a rip-off, however I will still keep some paperbacks on that platform.
I am still exploring all of the features on this new platform... so stay tuned!
Your Instructor,
Karla Ingleton Darocas, B.A. (Hons)
* Professional Since 1990*
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SpainLifestyle.com
Spain's Arts & Culture
Continuous Learning Connection
Tel:# Whatsapp 34 648 156 066
Benitachell Properties (Boardroom)
Padre Placido Street 57
03726 Benitachell
