Hispanic art is art that was created by artists from Spain. Although this category shares many of the same attributes as Mexican art, they aren't the same thing. Mexican art was influenced by Hispanic art, as were several other cultural art styles. Hispanic artists have contributed innumerable innovations to the art world, from classic representational art to modern artistic movements.
Some of the most influential historical figures in the art world have gotten their start in Spain. Traditional art, in particular, benefited from Hispanic influence and produced artists such as Velazquez, Goya, and El Greco. However, although these were all classical artists, the originality and skill that these artists displayed has been prized throughout the centuries and are still in high demand among collectors and art enthusiasts today.
Modern art also received a large dose of Hispanic influence in the form of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Picasso was one of the co-founders of the modernist movement of cubism and his works are highly prized throughout the world. Dali also contributed to the development of modern art as it's known today, with his surreal paintings of strange landscapes and fantastical creatures.
For many people however, the lure of Hispanic art isn't in its proud history, but in its unique culture. Art depicting dancers performing the salsa, lambada, and tango are highly popular for adding energy and sensuality to home decor. Likewise, artworks depicting other typically Hispanic traditions such as bullfighting are in high demand among decorators. For many American audiences, the sense of energy and excitement revealed through Hispanic art is appealing and drastically different from their own artistic heritage.
However, that's not to say that the famous artists developed by this nation aren't popular in today's art markets. Salvador Dali is still one of the most widely known and respected artists in the world, along with Picasso. Although many find the traditional artists such as Velazquez or El Greco too dated for decorative purposes, these works are still examples of historic styles that will influence future art generations.
