Art continues to change and develop, one style preluding to the next. Modernism was a political-cultural movement that sought to transform Catalan society. Modernism flourished in Europe around 1880-1915. In Catalonia, this movement coincided with their movement towards autonomy and independence. With this in mind, the Catalan modernist style includes many symbolic elements reflecting the nationalism of their creators. This symbolism directly ties into the context of the era, with elements of nationalism. Nationalism seems to be at the heart of this Modernist movement in Catalonia, while also seeking to modernize and progress society.
Modernism developed uniquely in Catalonia because of the context of the times. The era coincided with the movements towards autonomy and independence. In contrast to its development in other countries, symbolic elements of nationalism, as aforementioned, is what made its development unique. The paradox of Modernism exists in this: As Catalonia sought to modernize and progress society, they steered away from traditional forms and styles of art while holding fast to the roots and traditions of their culture.
In these times of political tension and unrest, Catalonia was seeking stability. Catalan culture, commonly expressed in modernist art, became the stability that the people were longing for. Modernism, as it symbolized Catalan nationalism, became the source of pride that identified and unified the people.
Work Cited:
Herreros i Agui, Sebastia. “Catalan Modernism and Vexillology .” The Washington Flag Congress, 2011, pp. 506–634.