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From Gallaecia to the Euro-Region
New artistic expressions
The last quarter of the 20th century was the moment, both in Spain and
in Portugal, of the transition to democracy, a transformation that came in
different ways and situations, but which meant a radical change for both
countries. Over the last 200 years there has been an introduction of new artistic
forms and new lifestyles. The 19th and 20th century art became democratized
and was not a product for elite consumption anymore, but was rather destined
to more open groups.
The biggest consequence of these
social changes is that they meant the
access to culture for collectives that
were, up to this moment, deprived of
it and, consequently, it also meant
the growth of possible consumers
and a diversification of the market.
A paradigmatic case is that of
Camilo Castelo Branco, one of the
first Portuguese professional writers.
His house has been remodelled
nowadays to create a museum
around his figure, and it is located in
the parish of São Miguel de Seide,
in the municipality of Vila Nova de
Famalicão.
Architecture and urbanism are also
among the first indicators of these
new trends. In the 19th century, the
morphology of the modern cities was
transformed through the different
expansion districts that responded
to the needs and taste of the
bourgeoisie of the time. A new style
appeared, modernism in Spain and
Art Nouveau in Portugal. The aim
was to create an art that was new and
different from the domineering styles.
Inspiration was found in nature, and
was spread through the use of new
materials, such as iron or glass.
“A new style appeared,
modernism in Spain and
Art Nouveau in Portugal”
Among the several examples of this
style that are kept in Galicia, there is
the Mondariz Spa in Pontevedra or the
Casa Rey in A Coruña. Meanwhile,
in Portugal, we can find the Martins
Sarmiento Museum in Guimarães,
the Circus-Theatre of Braga (1911-
15), the Casa de Portuzelo in Viana
do Castelo, or the Caixa Xeral de
Depósitos in Porto, among others.
In the case of Ourense, the expansion
and diffusion of modernism were
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