The Generation of 14 and Early 20th Century Avant-garde in Spain

Novecentismo: The Generation of 14 in Spain

The Generation of 14, also known as Novecentismo, was a significant European intellectual movement characterized by a cosmopolitan trend, unifying fashion, music, and social forms across Europe. Its members possessed a solid intellectual formation, seeking beauty through intelligence. This generation was renowned for its academic rigor, proficiency in foreign languages, linguistic richness, and the musicality of its prose. While genres such as drama, poetry, and the novel were cultivated, the essay particularly excelled, championed by figures like José Ortega y Gasset.

Key Figures of Novecentismo

José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955)

Ortega y Gasset, a prominent philosopher and essayist, authored influential works such as The Revolt of the Masses and The Dehumanization of Art. He actively encouraged an intellectual, political, and creative struggle through his writings.

Gabriel Miró (1879-1930)

Miró's lyrical prose is evident in novels like Nuestro Padre San Daniel and El obispo leproso (The Bishop's Cherry Trees), both of which depict life and development in the fictional city of Oleza. His works are consistently described as deeply lyrical.

Ramón Pérez de Ayala (1880-1962)

Pérez de Ayala's extensive novelistic output is often categorized into three distinct stages:

• Autobiographical Stage: Includes works like A.M.D.G. and Troteras y danzaderas (Strollers and Dancers).
• Transition Stage: Features the Prometheus trilogy, Luz de domingo (Sunday Light), and La caída de los limones (The Fall of the Lemons).
• Third Stage: Explored themes of language, love, and honor.

The Avant-garde Movement in Spain

Parallel to Novecentismo, though emerging slightly later, the Avant-garde movement brought new artistic and literary expressions. It shared common characteristics with other European movements such as Futurism (admiring progress and technology), Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism.

Spanish Avant-garde Currents

In Spain, the primary Avant-garde currents were:

• Ultraism: Emphasized the importance of image and metaphor.
• Creationism: Advocated for the poet as a "little god" creating new realities.

Notable artists associated with these movements include Gerardo Diego.

Key Figures of the Spanish Avant-garde

Ramón Gómez de la Serna (1888-1963)

Gómez de la Serna is celebrated for creating the greguería, a unique literary form blending humor and metaphor. His observations of Madrid environments often inspired his novels, such as El torero Caracho (The Bullfighter Caracho).

Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881-1958)

A Nobel laureate, Juan Ramón Jiménez stands out as a pivotal poetic author. His extensive work is typically divided into several stages:

• First Stage: Early works like Nubes (Clouds) and Arias tristes (Sad Arias).
• Pure Poetry Stage: During which he published influential books such as Diario de un poeta recién casado (Diary of a Newlywed Poet).
• Naked Poetry Stage: Composed works like Poesía y belleza (Poetry and Beauty) and Eternidades (Eternities).
• Full Poetry Stage: Culminating in works like Animal de fondo (Animal of Depth).
• Poetic Prose: His most identifiable work, the beloved Platero y yo (Platero and I).