Art of Spain
We know that Italy and Northern Europe are renowned for their art, but what about Spain? In this absorbing and original series, Spanish art gains centre stage as art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon goes on the road to reveal the fabulous art treasures of the country. Travelling from the south to the north he explores some of Europe's most important artists from Renaissance to Modernist - including Goya, Picasso, Dali, El Greco and Velasquez. And, going 'off the beaten track', he reveals rich insights into the culture and people who live and work with the greatest Spanish art and architecture every day. From Moorish art and the Islamic legacy on Spain and Europe to Modernism, Seville to Barcelona, food and wine, Andrew reveals that Spanish culture is every bit as rich as Italy's, with a more surprising edge.
- 2008-2008
- 1 season
- Documentary
We know that Italy and Northern Europe are renowned for their art, but what about Spain? In this absorbing and original series, Spanish art gains centre stage as art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon goes on the road to reveal the fabulous art treasures of the country. Travelling from the south to the north he explores some of Europe's most important artists from Renaissance to Modernist - including Goya, Picasso, Dali, El Greco and Velasquez. And, going 'off the beaten track', he reveals rich insights into the culture and people who live and work with the greatest Spanish art and architecture every day. From Moorish art and the Islamic legacy on Spain and Europe to Modernism, Seville to Barcelona, food and wine, Andrew reveals that Spanish culture is every bit as rich as Italy's, with a more surprising edge.
Season 1 Episode Guide
3 Episodes 2008
Episode 1
The Moorish South
49 mins
The Moorish culture of 'Al-Andalus' (nearly all Iberia) was a staggering height in both European and Mediterranean culture, especially under the breakaway caliphate of Cordoba, a model of inter-cultural fertilization and religious tolerance for Christians and Jews. With its breakdown into petty Muslim kingdoms, the bloody stage was set for seven centuries of gradual reconquest by the Christian crusaders, who would wipe them out and chase all infidels, even converts, from the peninsula after the fall of Nasrid sultanate Granada, which created the Alhambra, yet couldn't part with all its rich legacy.
Episode 2
The Dark Heart
50 mins
The Castilian and surrounding heartland of the Spanish realm was the center of royal power and, as Philip II's giant Escorial palace illustrates, the seat of a devout, vastly wealthy Habsburg monarchy's obsession with the purest Catholic faith, which degenerated in an oppressive Inquisition society. Art, mainly patronized by king and cathedrals, was largely devoted to glorifying the church, even more then the dynasty, in a uniquely ornate, gold-burdened style. As the riches of the American colonies failed to keep financing the expensive religious wars, decline was inevitable, yet Felipe IV still dispensed a fortune he no longer could afford to turn Madrid into an imperial capital, while power fell to ambitious courtiers and art finally turned to real life again, instead of the morbid obsession with martyrdom.
Episode 3
The Mystical North
49 mins
The largely mountainous, poorly penetrable northern regions of Spain, notably Catalonia and the Basuqe country, aspire greater autonomy and artistic identity, often by embracing or even taking the lead in in modernity. Furthermore, being the main bloody battle ground in grim periods of (civil) war and Franco's oppressive regime leave visible traces. That goes for most famous painter Pablo Picasso, but even more for architects, notably Miro, and integrated building-art, pinnacling in Gaudi's oeuvre.