The Art of Spain concludes this week and has proved popular with audiences keen to learn more about Spain’s unique contribution to modern European art.

A three-part BBC series presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon, the programme has seen the art expert travel from the south coast of Spain to the far north and trace the country’s historical development as an artistic nation on his journey.

Graham-Dixon considered Spain’s artistic identity in both paintings and architecture, so the Alcazar castle-palace in Seville or Gaudi’s buildings in Barcelona were afforded as much attention as Picasso’s Guernica, according to the Guardian.

“Spain has produced some of the most startling and original art ever created,” Mr Graham-Dixon said at the start of the series.

“It holds the key to understanding all of Europe and its culture,” he added.

Mr Graham-Dixon argued that Spanish art has perhaps played a more important role than the Italian masters in shaping the identity of Europe.

The final instalment of The Art of Spain can be seen on BBC Four this Thursday (February 14th) at 21:00 GMT.

Considered one of Spain’s finest and most influential artists, Picasso was born in Malaga in 1881.

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