Rafael Alberti

Selected Poems of Rafael Alberti presents a powerful and evocative selection of works from one of Spain’s most influential 20th-century poets. A key figure in the "Generation of 1927," Alberti’s poetry reflects the vibrancy of Spanish literary tradition while also embracing modernist experimentation. This collection highlights the breadth of Alberti’s poetic voice—from the lyrical nostalgia of Marinero en tierra to the surrealist intensity of Sobre los ángeles and the politically charged verse of his later years. His early work is infused with the rhythms and imagery of Spain’s folk traditions, while his later poetry grapples with exile, war, and the search for artistic and political identity.

The introduction to this volume places Alberti within the grand lineage of Spanish poetry, drawing connections between his work and that of predecessors like Góngora, Machado, and Jiménez. It also contextualizes his evolution from a young poet rooted in Andalusian lyricism to a politically engaged writer responding to the tumultuous upheavals of 20th-century Spain. Alberti’s exile after the Spanish Civil War and his reflections on displacement and resistance lend his poetry a poignant universality. This collection offers English-speaking readers a rare opportunity to experience the full spectrum of Alberti’s literary genius, showcasing his linguistic dexterity, emotional depth, and enduring influence on modern Spanish poetry.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1966.