Modernismo (literary movement)
Modernismo is a significant literary movement that emerged in Latin America during the late 19th century and made its way to Spain in the early 20th century. It is characterized by a response to bourgeois values and a quest for a distinct Spanish voice, featuring exotic imagery and a rich use of language that often highlighted themes of beauty and harmony. The movement was notably influenced by French Symbolism and the Parnassian school of poets, as well as elements from classical Spanish poetry and American poets like Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman.
Modernismo's official period lasted until around 1920, but its impact on subsequent generations of writers in both Latin America and Spain has been profound and lasting. Key figures of this movement include Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario, whose work "Azul" is often cited as a foundational text, and Spanish poets such as Juan Ramon Jimenez and Antonio Machado. Their poetry frequently explored feelings of loneliness, love, and idealized femininity, employing lush language that evoked rich sensory experiences.
Although distinctly separate from Latin American Modernismo, a Brazilian movement also named Modernismo began in 1922, marking a renaissance in Brazilian literature led by figures like Mario de Andrade. Overall, Modernismo represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Spanish and Latin American literature, characterized by a deep exploration of aesthetic beauty and emotional depth.
Subject Terms
Modernismo (literary movement)
Modernismo is the term given to a literary movement that originated in Latin America in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The movement reached Spain at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Modernismo movement's historical period was not extremely long, yet the influence was felt in a prolonged sense by writers who followed in Latin America and Spain, and later in Brazil. The Modernismo literary movement was a reaction to what was considered bourgeois and often included an exploration of a uniquely Spanish voice. Exotic imagery and language featured prominently, set against a backdrop of potential harmony. Prominent Modernismo writers include Ruben Dario, Juan Ramon Jimenez, Antonio Machado, Ramon Maria del Valle-Inclan, and Miguel de Unamuno.
Brief History
The Modernismo literary movement was influenced predominantly by French Symbolism, particularly its leader Paul Verlaine, and the Parnassian school of French poets. Parnassian poets included Francoise Cippee, Theodore de Banville, Leconte de Lisle, Louis Xavier de Ricard, and Catulle Mendes.
Additionally, classical poetry from Spain exerted an influence on the style of writing. Modernismo writers also drew elements from the writings of American poets. Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman were particularly pertinent sources of inspiration.
Beginning and end of the Modernismo movement: Modernismo began in the late 1800s and only lasted until 1920 in an official sense. However, Spanish and Latin American poets of the twentieth century attributed a profound literary influence to the poets of the Modernismo period.
The 1888 publication of Ruben Dario's book Azul (Blue) is regarded as the first book to feature the writing style of the Modernismo literary movement. The book became instantly famous internationally.
Modernismo emerged as significant movement: It featured the first time that a Latin American movement was able to influence writers in Spain. Antonio Machado and Juan Ramon Jimenez were deeply affected and proceeded to produce poetry of this genre. Writers connected to the Generation of '98 were likewise influenced. The group refer to the changes that took place in 1898 in Spain, precipitated by its loss of the American and Pacific colonies of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, and the military and naval defeats the Spanish experienced. Concepts of what Spain meant were pondered by intellectuals and artists alike. Discussion points were raised pertaining to the generation of Spain. Writers were caught up with how they perceived Spain. In practical terms, many Spanish writers lived on the outskirts of Spain. Their concept was of Castile as Spain's generator, yet Castile was plagued with a crisis both economically and intellectually, a concern held by the writers and evident in their work.
Although not specifically part of the Modernismo literary movement of Latin America and Spain, a group of writers in Brazil led a movement which they also called "Modernismo." The Brazilian Modernismo genre was initiated in 1922 in a form of a renaissance movement. The chief proponents were Mario de Andrade and Oswald de Andrade.
Overview
Style of Writing. Settings that were beautiful and exotic were created by poets writing in the Modernismo style. Picturesque scenery was depicted, with landscapes bedecked with flowers and regal animal life. Peacocks and swans graced the poetry imagery in a manner reminiscent of noble and aristocratic lifestyles. Princesses were characterized in a similar vein of nobility and royalty. The purpose of utilizing symbols such as these was not in order to provide a method of escapism. Instead, the inherent beauty of these scenes was intended as a stark contrast highlighting the futility and vulgarism of a material way of life. Themes in the poetry focused on feelings of loneliness and love. Women were idealized, and sentiments of sensuality were present. The language included flowers with exotic names, precious gems, and rich fabrics like silk. Harmonious imagery was described to create a sense of cohesiveness in the environment.
Poets. Prior to the movement taking the international stage as a genre, poet Jose Marti (1853-95) was writing in a style that was to portend future developments of the Modernismo movement. Marti, hailing from Cuba, was both a poet and a revolutionary. He is called the father of the Modernismo literary movement, given his influence over the writers who read his prose and poetry and the Latin-American literature that arose after him.
Ruben Dario (1867-1916)
Ruben Dario was a Nicaraguan poet whose work set the tone of the Modernismo style of writing. Dario traveled extensively because of his profession as a journalist and diplomat. He was influenced by Victor Hugo, the French Romanticist, as well as Parnassian and Symbolist poets like Pierre Jules Theophile Gautier and Paul Verlaine. His arrival in Spain created a surge of interest by Spanish writers who followed the modernist approach. These included Juan Ramon Jimenez, Ramon Maria del Valle-Inclan, and Jacinto Benavente.
Juan Ramon Jimenez (1881-1958). The Spanish poet Juan Ramon Jimenez, born in Moguer in Andalusia, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1956. His poetry, drawn from French Symbolism and the work of W.B. Yeats, was a striving for a profound and spirited inner essence.
Antonio Machado (1875-1939). Antonio Machado was born in Palacio de las Duenas and raised in Madrid, is also considered to be one of the greatest poets in Spain during the twentieth century. Machado mixed with Modernismo poets Dario and Jimenez. His early poetry is both reflective and with a tone of spirituality. Other poetry collections pay attention to Spain's history, Machado's literary circles, and the love of his wife. In the 1920s, Machado, together with his brother, turned to theater, producing stage presentations in addition to pursuing his verse-writing collections.
Ramon Maria del Valle-Inclan (1869-1936). Galician-born Ramon Maria del Valle-Inclan was a Spanish writer who was part of the Spanish Generation 98. His literary focus was predominantly drama. Valle-Inclan, known for his radical style of writing, moved between literary gatherings and political activities.
Miguel de Unamuno (1864-1936). Miguel de Unamuno, born in Bilbao, a city of Basque, was a poet as well as a novelist and playwright. His poetry writing came later in life, and centered on themes of nature and travel. From his Catholic childhood to his desire to find a uniquely religious Spanish experience, his poetry reflected this search.
Bibliography
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