The Nuances of Novecentismo and the Generation of '14 in Spanish Literature

Novecentismo and the Generation of '14

The Novecentismo movement, also known as the Generation of '14, sought to revitalize Spanish art and literature. These authors championed "pure art," an aesthetic detached from Romantic sentimentality. This dehumanized approach, with art existing for its own sake, was a key principle. Philosopher José Ortega y Gasset and Catalan writer Eugeni d'Ors were central figures in this movement.

Poetry

Juan Ramón Jiménez, a prominent poet of this era, saw his work evolve through three distinct phases:

• Sensory Phase: Works like Water Lilies showcase the influence of Modernism, blended with Jiménez's unique poetic voice.
• Intellectual Phase: This period features prose poems like Platero and I, exploring themes of transcendence and the nature of poetry itself.
• Real Phase: Later works such as God Desired and Desiring solidify Jiménez's influential role, particularly on the emerging Generation of '27.

The Novel

Novelists of the Novecentismo movement aimed to modernize the genre through intellectual and aesthetic innovation. Key figures include:

• Wenceslao Fernández Flórez: Known for works like The Animated Forest.
• Ramón Pérez de Ayala: His early novels, such as Troteras y Danzaderas, had autobiographical elements. Later works, like Belarmino and Apolonio, employed perspectivism, offering multiple viewpoints.
• Gabriel Miró: His lyrical novels emphasized emotions, evocative language, and vivid descriptions, as seen in The Leprous Bishop.

The Essay

The essay became a platform for Novecentistes to express their ideas. Ortega y Gasset, a leading figure, penned influential works like The Dehumanization of Art, which explored avant-garde art and its pursuit of a pure, dehumanized aesthetic. This work significantly impacted the Generation of '27. Other notable essayists include:

• Eugeni d'Ors: Known for his concise style and works like Three Hours in the Prado Museum.
• Américo Castro: His essays explored the historical relationship between literature and Spanish history, focusing on the interplay of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian cultures.