Noucentisme facts for kids

Noucentisme (pronounced now-sen-TIZ-muh) was an important cultural movement in Catalonia at the start of the 20th century. It began around 1906. This movement was a reaction against an older style called Modernisme.

Noucentisme was also very different from avant-garde art. The word "Noucentisme" was created by Eugenio d'Ors in 1906. It comes from the Italian way of naming art styles after centuries, like Quattrocento (1400s). The Catalan word nou means both "nine" and "new." This showed that Noucentisme was a fresh, new movement for the 20th century.

In 1906, two key works for Noucentisme were published. One was the book Els fruits saborosos by Josep Carner. The other was "La nacionalitat catalana" by the politician Enric Prat de la Riba.

Noucentisme in Art and Culture

Noucentisme had different ideas from the earlier Modernisme movement. Modernisme often focused on individual freedom and a "Bohemian" lifestyle. Noucentisme, however, loved order and a sense of calm. They believed in the spirit of the 20th century and hoped for positive changes.

Poetry and Language Style

In Noucentisme, poetry was more important than novels. Poetry was seen as a better way to share the movement's ideas. This style often looked back to classicism, which means it was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art. It also valued Europeanism, connecting with wider European trends.

Artists and politicians worked closely together. They wanted to make the Catalan language perfect in their writing. Noucentista poetry used very precise and refined language. It focused on facts and avoided strong, sudden feelings. Nature was also a big interest for them.

The style was influenced by the "Majorcan School" of poets, like Joan Alcover. It also took ideas from French Parnassian and Symbolist poetry. This period lasted from about 1906 to 1923.

Architecture and Beauty

The Vienna Secession movement greatly influenced Noucentista ideas of beauty in architecture. Architect Rafael Masó i Valentí (1880-1935) was a key figure. He worked mostly in Girona and nearby areas. His buildings clearly show the Noucentista style. Other early architects, like Josep Maria Pericas, mixed Noucentista and Modernista elements in their work.

Famous Artists and Writers

Josep Carner was a very important Noucentista poet. He was even called the "prince of the Catalan poets." His poetry was very detailed and beautiful, similar to the Baroque style. People still admire his refined language.

Later on, some people thought Noucentista literature was too artificial. This was different from the Modernista writer Joan Maragall's idea of "the living word," which meant writing with spontaneity.

Important painters and sculptors from this time include Joaquim Sunyer, Joaquín Torres-García, and Manolo Hugué. Manolo Hugué was a good friend of the famous artist Picasso.

Noucentisme in Politics and Society

"Aplicaciones del Gas" store in Barcelona by Santiago Marco (1930)

At this time, Catalonia was the most industrial and richest part of Spain. Catalan leaders and thinkers started to change their approach to politics. This helped create the practical and idealist ideas of Noucentisme.

Catalan Nationalism and Reforms

Catalan nationalism became very strong in politics. The Regionalist League was a right-wing, Catholic party that supported these ideas. They wanted Catalonia to lead the way in modernizing Spain. They aimed for reforms to make Catalonia more influential within Spain, rather than seeking full independence.

There were disagreements among Catalan politicians and workers, especially after the Spanish–American War in 1898 and the Rif War. A major event was the Tragic Week in 1909. Some people wanted Catalonia to separate from Spain.

In the 19th century, Catalan nationalism often focused on protecting local industries. There was also a traditional, anti-liberal movement called Carlism in the countryside. These older ideas helped shape the new right-wing Catalanism. Noucentista thinkers took some of these ideals but also supported more modern values. They believed in big, ideal changes. The Regionalist League, supported by many business owners, was the most powerful party until about 1925.

Key Principles of Noucentista Politics

Noucentista thinkers, led by Eugenio d'Ors, wanted to improve Catalonia through culture. They had four main ideas:

• Imperialism: They wanted Catalonia to be the leading region for modernizing Spain.
• Arbitrarism: This idea meant that human will could shape reality, like an artist creating a perfect work. Their "will" was to create an "ideal Catalonia."
• Civility: They saw an "ideal Catalonia" as a well-ordered city (polis) based on culture, harmony, and democracy. This was different from what they saw as the "barbaric" countryside.
• Classicism: They wanted perfect form, harmony, and balance everywhere, not just in art. The idea of "Mediterraneity" (Mediterranean culture) became a symbol of this ideal.

Practical Changes and Institutions

The Noucentistas worked to achieve three main goals:

• To reform Catalonia based on their ideas.
• To create a standard way of writing the Catalan language.
• To support Catalan culture with publishing and new cultural places.

They chose Barcelona as the main center for these changes.

Their big project was not fully completed. There were disagreements among Noucentista members. Also, there was repression against Catalan culture during the Miguel Primo de Rivera dictatorship (1923–1930). This led to the rise of left-wing and independentist parties.

However, many important changes happened in Catalan society. The Commonwealth of Catalonia period brought reforms. Also, Catalan got its first consistent spelling rules thanks to the work of Pompeu Fabra.

Noucentistas also helped create institutions to promote Catalan culture. The Bernat Metge Foundation translated ancient Greek and Latin language books into Catalan. The Institut d'Estudis Catalans became the official body for regulating the Catalan language. Other institutions from this time include the Network of Popular Libraries, the Catalan Drama School, the School of Librarians, and the Library of Catalonia. These helped make culture more available to everyone.

Important People in Noucentisme

• Josep Carner – Poet
• Marceliano Coquillat – Architect
• Pompeu Fabra – Linguist, helped standardize Catalan
• Josep Goday i Casals – Architect
• Rafael Masó – Architect
• Eugenio d'Ors ("Xènius") – Writer and thinker, coined the term "Noucentisme"
• Enric Prat de la Riba – Politician
• Josep Puig i Cadafalch – Architect and politician
• José Ortega y Gasset – Philosopher
• Joaquim Sunyer – Painter

See also

In Spanish: Novecentismo para niños

• Commonwealth of Catalonia – A union of the four Catalan provinces for administrative purposes.
• Lliga Regionalista – A large conservative political party linked to Noucentisme.
• Modernisme – The Catalan cultural movement that came before Noucentisme.
• Modernism – A broader European and international art movement (not the same as Catalan Modernisme).
• Novecentismo – A Spanish movement with a similar name but different ideas.
• Gaziel – A Catalan writer and journalist.
• Jaume Agelat i Garrega – A Catalan writer.