Woman and artist in a Spanish provincial city during the 20th century: Salamanca’s case

Abstract

This article analyzes, in a panoramic way, the personal and professional situation experienced by women artists of and in Salamanca throughout the last century. Under the influence of the global context of Spain —social, economic, political or religious— and of the particularities dictated by the provincial character of the city and its surroundings, the feminine activity in pictorial and sculptural matter has been sentenced to isolated efforts —not always serious, bordering on the anecdote and of scanty success— to which the years have given a normal look, prestige, reputation and respect between fans, critics and authors of both sexes. So, from a caprice developed by scantily motivated young women —according to what demonstrates the local press—, art has become for many women into need, into expression of an accused vocation that gasps to formulate their feelings, opinions and desires into the fruits of a professionally recognized and a personally stimulant career.