Village Street. Granada c. 1895

Santiago Rusiñol made this pencil drawing, "Village Street, Granada," sometime in his lifetime, which spanned from 1861 to 1931. Rusiñol was part of the Catalan Modernista movement, and his work often explored themes of identity, tradition, and modernity. In this drawing, we see a quiet, intimate scene of everyday life in Granada. The steep steps, the woman in dark clothing, and the architecture all suggest a place steeped in history and tradition. Spain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was a country grappling with its own identity. The rise of nationalism, combined with the decline of the Spanish Empire, led to a search for cultural roots and a renewed interest in regional traditions. Artists like Rusiñol played a key role in this process, documenting and celebrating the unique character of Spanish villages and towns. To understand this drawing better, we might look at the history of Granada, its cultural heritage, and the ways in which artists have represented it over time. By studying the social and cultural context in which this drawing was made, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its meaning and significance.