Spanish painters
From the 14th century onwards, a number of noteworthy painters began to appear in Spain. During the 15th century, the Spanish School was generally influenced by the Dutch School but later, during the reign of Charles V (1500-1558), painters imitated Albrecht Dürer and the German School.
With the Renaissance a new era of painting began and painters spread the Italian influence in Spain. The enthusiasm of painters was stimulated by the encouragement that Philip II (1527-1598) gave to the arts. The most renowned Spanish painter of this period, El Greco, although trained in Venice, tried nevertheless to free himself from this influence. Other artists copied the Flemish painters. A true national School was not established in Spain until the reign of Philip IV (1605-1665) when it developed simultaneously in Seville and Madrid. Its most illustrious representatives in Seville were Zurbaran, Alonzo Cano and Murillo, generally regarded as the first truly Spanish painter.
When Francisco Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828), who had originally learnt the basics of his art in Saragossa, returned from Italy he brought with him an innovative and unexpected style. But after his death, Spanish painting once again became dependent on French art.
Spanish artists have rarely been the creators of artistic schools. Not until the 20th century do Spanish names such as Picasso, Juan Gris and Miro appear at the head of innovative artistic movements. Spanish artists have always mastered accepted elements by adapting them to their own temperament.
