Antonio Machado Quotes

A collection of quotes by Antonio Machado.

Antonio Machado (1875-1939) was a renowned Spanish poet and playwright, considered one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. Born in Seville, Spain, Machado came from a family of intellectuals and pursued a career in teaching. However, it was his exceptional talent for poetry that brought him recognition and acclaim.

Machado's early works were characterized by romanticism and symbolism, often exploring themes of love, nature, and spirituality. Later in his career, his writing evolved to reflect the socio-political situation in Spain during the turbulent early 20th century. Influenced by the Spanish Civil War and personal tragedy, his poetry took on a more introspective and existential tone, delving into themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time.

Machado's most famous collection of poems, "Campos de Castilla" (Fields of Castile), was published in 1912 and soon became a defining work of Spanish literature. His mastery of language, use of metaphors, and profound insights into the human condition have made his poetry highly esteemed worldwide.

Tragically, Machado's life was cut short by the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent exile that followed. He fled to France with his mother after the fall of the Spanish Republic, where he endured the hardships of war and illness. In 1939, just a few weeks after crossing the border into Spain, Antonio Machado passed away in Collioure, France. His contributions to Spanish literature and his legacy as an iconic poet continue to be celebrated to this day.