Rafael Alberti

In 1929, he married Maria Teresa Leon, a novelist and political activist. Leon supported him all through, even in the period of exile and afterwards. She breathed her last on December 13, 1988 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

He passed away on October 28, 1999 from lung ailment. He was 96 years at the time of his death. His ashes were scattered over the Bay of Cádiz.

Rafael Alberti was born on December 16, 1902 in El Purerto de Santa Maria, Spain.

He attained his preliminary education from the Jesuit Cologio San Luis Gonzaga as a day scholar. The preferential treatment meted out to boarders caused him to become a rebel which eventually led to his expulsion in 1917. Same year, his family moved to Madrid.

It was at Madrid that Alberti first developed a fondness for painting. His interest grew so much so that he gave up on his formal education and instead visited Casón del Buen Retiro and the Prado, where he copied sculptures and paintings.

Year 1920 was a difficult year in the life of Alberti. Firstly, his painting exhibition met with wrath and mockery from the spectators. Later on, his father passed away. To add to his woes, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1921.

While recuperating from tuberculosis, he developed an interest in poetry. He avidly read the works of reputed writers and poets. It was Damaso Alonso, a Spanish poet and critic, who introduced Alberti to the works of Gil Vicente and other Golden Age writers.

Inspired by the works of famous poets, he started penning his own verses which were published in various avant-garde magazines.

In 1924 he came up with his first poetry book, ‘Marinero en tierra’ which became a major hit. Not only did it escalate his reputation to national fame, but also won him National Prize for Literature.

His very first collection of poetry, ‘Marinero en tierra’ was an exemplary work of art as it established his reputation as a noteworthy poet. For the same, he also received the prestigious National Prize for Literature and was inducted in the group, ‘Generation of 1927’ amongst other prolific poets and writers.

His masterpiece came with his work, ‘Sobre los ángeles’ which marked the beginning of a radical transformation for Alberti, both in terms of his work and life. The spiritual crisis that he faced was notable in his verses which drifted from the lyrical zest that formed the base of his earlier works.