Generalitat de Catalunya

Throughout the centuries, the artistic styles prevailing in Europe have been developed and adapted. Churches, monasteries, cathedrals... There are many examples of Romanesque, very well rooted in the Old Catalonia; and of Gothic, which prevails in the cities and, in general, in the New Catalonia.

We find interesting examples all over the country of Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture; nevertheless, it is Modernisme (Art Nouveau), at the end of the 19th century - a period of economic and demographic expansion - that appears as a national art and gives special importance to decorative arts. Names of international renown in this style are Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech i Montaner or Josep Puig i Cadafalch, among many others.

Architectural rationalism had an interesting flourishing in the GATPAC group in the 1920's, with figures as Josep Lluís Sert, Torres Clavé, Churruca, etc. Nowadays, there is an interesting group of town planners and architects such as Josep A. Coderch, the Bohigas-Martorell-Mackay team, Ricard Bofill, etc.

The plastic arts have produced magnificent works and figures throughout the centuries. The 20th century has been particularly rich in world renowned artists such as Picasso (1881-1973), who was trained in Catalonia, and Joan Miró (1893-1983). Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) is another of the great artists recognized everywhere; attached to the Surrealist, Avant-garde and Iconoclast movements. The painter Antoni Tàpies has also achieved international prestige after the 1950's. His informal painting has been very influential.

In the field of literature, Catalonia has experienced differents moments of splendor. It dates back to the historiography chronicles of the 13th and 14th centuries, the chivalresque novels of Joanot Martorell and the poetry of Ausiàs Marc. During the second half of the 19th century, the European Romantic movements burst into the scene favouring the cultural and political Renaissance with poet Jacint Verdaguer or novelist Narcís Oller, followed by poet Joan Maragall or dramatist Àngel Guimerà, close to Modernisme.

The first third of the 20th c. witnessed movements such as Noucentisme and the first avant-gardes, with poets like Josep Carner, Carles Riba or J. V. Foix. From the sad period of the Spanish Civil War, authors as Josep Pla, Mercè Rodoreda or Salvador Espriu stand out, while in the last third of the century we find poets like Miquel Martí i Pol and novelists like Quim Monzó, in Catalan, and outstanding writers in Spanish language such as Juan Marsé, Manuel Vázquez Montalbán or Eduardo Mendoza, who place their work in contemporary Barcelona. In the last years, novels like "L'ombra del vent", by Carlos Ruiz Zafón or "La pell freda", by Albert Sánchez Pinyol have been outstanding international best sellers.

The Catalan highbrow music has a long tradition from the famous collection of the Monserrat's, passing by composers of the stature of Enric Morera, Enric Granados or Isaac Albéniz, just to mention the best known names. In the field of performers, cellist Pau Casals, pianist Alícia de Larrocha and violist da gamba and musicologist Jordi Savall. With regard to opera, great voices stand out such as Victòria dels Àngels, Montserrat Caballé, Jaume Aragall or Josep Carreras.

In the field of popular music, toguether with the great sardana composers -Pep Ventura, Juli Garreta-, mention should be made of the choral tradition, with Anselm Clavé and prestigious choral societies as the Orfeó Català. Recently, the cultivation of all kinds of musical genres has produced figures as interesting as Tete Montoliu for jazz; Raimon, Joan Manuel Serrat, Lluís Llach or Maria del Mar Bonet among the singer-songwriters; Peret as the highest representative of Catalan rumba; Carmen Amaya, Maite Martín, Duquende or Poveda in flamenco; without forgetting pop and rock bands as El Último de la Fila, Els Pets or Sopa de Cabra, or authors like Pau Riba and Jaume Sisa, among many others. The last trends, such as electronic, experimental and independent music, have found in Catalonia and particularly in Barcelona, a strategic enclave with the holdings of festivals like LEM, Sonar or Primavera Sound.

Decorative arts is another field where Catalonia is an undeniable referent. The emergence of Modernisme meant a great impulse to the manufacture of furniture, ceramics, wrought iron, etc. and the modern tendencies of design have rooted strongly since the 1960's, turning Barcelona into an important centre of industrial design. Some renowned artists in this sector are André Ricard, Miquel Milà, J.A. Coderch, Òscar Tusquets and Xavier Mariscal, among others.