Hello readers,
In our cultural column this time around we’re going to take a look at some of Madrid’s well-known artists and the different styles the utilize. This city, and this country, have always been cultural hotspots loved by artists, musicians, writers, and filmmakers looking for inspiration and acceptance onto the scene. If you’re interested in art, you will love to hear about the evolution of styles in Madrid as the people grew and adapted with the times. Everyone living in Madrid should know some of the rich artistic culture of this city.
If you’re planning on living in the city, make sure to look at shared flats! Having an accommodation in one of these is the best way to make new friends, widen your cultural knowledge, learn the language, and lower your cost of living. Remember to check out each neighbourhood to find the one that fits your personality and is close to the places you need to go.
Let’s get back into the art. To be more specific, we’re going to look at a few of Madrid’s artists to see how they grew to become who they were and how they affected the city.
We’re going to start this off with an important painter of the Spanish golden age, Diego Velázquez, and his work in the baroque movement. This Spanish painter, born in Seville in 1599, worked in the early 1600s. After 1624, Velázquez became the court painter for King Phillip IV in Madrid and worked this position until his death in 1660. During this time, he crafted many baroque pieces featuring important figures of the age. To see an example of his work, visit the Museo del Prado, where Las Meninas is housed.
Next, we’re going to move into a more modern style with Juan Gris, an artist and sculptor born in Madrid in 1887. Gris studied engineering at the Madrid School of Arts and Sciences and only began studying painting seriously in 1911. In 1906, Gris moved to Paris where he began his artistic career as an illustrator but gave this up when he started painting. His works, though in the same movement as many famous Picassos (Cubism), are distinctive for their use of mathematical grid-like structures. To see Woman with a Mandolin (after Corot), a famous work by Gris, visit the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
The last artist we’ll look at today is one you may never have heard of; he’s very different from the others. Juan Carlos Argüello may not be a professionally trained painter, but he was one of Madrid’s first street artists. Because he was a street artist, not much is known about Argüello. He was a part of La Movida Madrileña and entered the streets around 1980. This movement was an artistic, countercultural movement amongst the youth in Madrid during the Spanish transition after the death of Francisco Franco. On the streets, Argüello was known as “Muelle” after his signature tag. His influence can be seen in graffiti styles to this day and, if you see a Muelle on the street somewhere, consider yourself lucky.
We hope you enjoyed this quick look at three distinctive artists with three unique styles, all connected to Madrid. While you’re in the city, celebrate Madrid’s rich culture with us. The museums of Madrid display wide varieties of artistic styles, exemplifying art from Madrid itself, as well as the rest of the world.
Thank you for reading our blog today! If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment for us here. Don’t forget to look for shared flats in the city! Check back here next week for some quick tips on the Spanish language.
See you soon,
You helpMadrid team