Spanish Romanticism: History, Characteristics, and Authors

The neoclassical literary model remained in Spain until around 1830. However, the artistic and cultural movement that imposed itself between 1830 and 1855—which actually lasted until 1875 after experiencing significant changes—was called Post-Romanticism (posromanticismo).

Spanish Society Between 1830 and 1855

• The triumph of bourgeois liberalism imposed a free market economy and established the equality of all citizens before the law.
• In Spain, the Industrial Revolution arrived late and weakly. It remained a backward and poor country with great disparities of wealth.
• Internationally, Spain exerted little influence.

Core Characteristics of Spanish Romanticism

• Individualism: The Romantic artist expressed individualism through original, rebellious, and nonconformist attitudes.
• Subjectivism: Romantic subjectivism, as an artistic manifestation, gives priority to one's own beliefs and personal standpoint.
• Sentimentality: Good feelings are considered the best guides for action, validating individual projects against a selfish world.
• Irrationalism: The world of individual privacy is mysterious and contradictory.
• Artistic Freedom: The work of art is the product of inspiration and is not subject to the rules inherited from tradition.

Key Authors of the Spanish Romantic Movement

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer was born in Seville but settled very soon in Madrid, dedicating himself to journalism. He wrote prose tales of mystery known by the title of Legends (Leyendas), distinguished by their delicate nuances of expression and the intense evocative capacity of his descriptions. He also wrote in rhyming verse; his poetry is his most enduring legacy, as it exercised an immense influence on the poetic language of later generations.

Rosalía de Castro

Rosalía de Castro, born in Galicia, wrote much of her poetic work in Galician. Her poetry has a strong intimate (intimista) content. She transmits her inner world through striking symbols of great simplicity inspired by nature. Her most outstanding books are On the Shores of the Sar (En las orillas del Sar) and Galician Songs (Cantares gallegos).

Mariano José de Larra

Mariano José de Larra was the most important prose writer of Spanish Romanticism. From an early age, he showed a misfit character. He was distinguished by his articles of literary criticism. Through liberal politics, Larra sought changes in social culture, promoting the ideals of a modern Spain. He committed suicide at the age of 28 due to his bleak outlook on life.

José de Espronceda

José de Espronceda's life was turbulent and passionate. This idealist was the typical liberal, radical Romantic artist. His poetry was inspired by marginalized or "damned" characters, such as in his famous poem Song of the Pirate (Canción del pirata). His romantic lyricism is also clearly seen in his major works.