Salvadores del arte. Informe semanal 30/4/05
The Journey of Art During the Spanish Civil War
The Protection of Artistic Heritage
- Over 2 million people visit the Prado Museum annually, housing 8,600 paintings that faced peril during the Spanish Civil War.
- A group of intellectuals and artists worked tirelessly under challenging conditions to protect these artworks amidst war.
- The Republic's government established a committee for the protection of artistic treasures in response to widespread destruction and looting.
- Their initial task involved persuading militia members to respect religious artifacts through awareness campaigns using art students' posters.
- The committee collected over 20,000 paintings and numerous valuable objects while facing opposition from leftist organizations claiming ownership.
Cataloging and Returning Artworks
- Natividad Gómez Moreno, a surviving member at age 96, recalls her pride in cataloging efforts that ensured minimal loss of artworks post-war.
- Detailed records were maintained for every item collected, facilitating their return to rightful owners after the conflict ended.
Evacuating Treasures Amidst Bombardment
- As Madrid faced bombings, protective measures included moving artworks to basements and surrounding statues with sandbags for safety.
- Significant damage occurred to cultural landmarks like the Royal Palace and National Library due to aerial attacks during this period.
The Odyssey of Relocation
- In November 1936, crucial decisions were made to evacuate masterpieces from the Prado Museum to Valencia as Madrid was under siege.
- Notable works such as Titian's "Carlos V" and Velázquez's "Las Meninas" were among those prioritized for evacuation amid dangerous conditions.
Challenges During Transport
- Transporting large canvases required careful handling; one instance involved navigating a bridge while avoiding enemy fire near Jarama River.
- Over two years, more than 400 paintings were relocated through war-torn areas at slow speeds to prevent damage.
Final Moves Under Duress
- By March 1938, further relocations took place towards Catalonia due to advancing national forces; some Goya pieces suffered damage but were restored later.
The Evacuation of Spanish Art During the Civil War
Context of the Evacuation
- The Republican government faced significant challenges in evacuating artworks from Catalonia due to bombings and a collapsing infrastructure as many Spaniards fled to France.
- In February 1939, 71 trucks transported invaluable artworks across the border, with plans for a train to take them to Geneva under the protection of the League of Nations until the war's end.
Inventory and Preservation Efforts
- Carlos Pérez, son of Rosa Chacel, holds an inventory created by his father before their exile, detailing masterpieces by renowned artists like El Greco and Velázquez.
- An exhaustive inventory was confirmed upon arrival in Geneva; no artworks were reported missing despite the chaos surrounding their evacuation.
Exhibition and Return
- After the Civil War ended, these masterpieces were exhibited in Geneva, attracting 400,000 visitors before being returned to Madrid amidst World War II.
- Francoist propaganda accused Republicans of looting while downplaying systematic theft from churches and museums during the conflict.
Challenges Faced Post-War
- Despite rigorous efforts by those involved in art preservation during the war, many faced false accusations of theft after its conclusion.
- Joselino Vaamonde’s father played a crucial role in safeguarding artworks but had to flee to Venezuela post-war due to political pressures.
Recognition and Legacy
- The narrative around art preservation often omitted personal sacrifices made by individuals like Vaamonde's father; he expressed sorrow over not receiving recognition for his contributions until long after his death.
- Over sixty years later, plaques now honor those who helped save Spain's artistic heritage during tumultuous times.