Scholarly record

TRAVELLING EXHIBITIONS OF SPANISH PAINTING IN THE CONTEXT OF FRANCOВ’S POLICY

A. V. Morozova

Abstract

The article deals with the history of travelling exhibitions of Spanish art from Spain, primarily from the Prado Museum, to other countries during Franco’s time (1939-1975). For comparative study, the article gives a review of the pre-Franco period (late 19th – early 20th century) as well as the post-Franco period (the last quarter of the 20th century). The turning points in the exhibition policy were closely related with the social, cultural and politic situation in the country, with proves the idea of the relation of culture and art development tendencies with the ideology of the state. The article describes the first temporary exhibitions of Spanish painting which were held in the Prado Museum as early as in late 19th – early 20th century. Those were monographic exhibitions devoted both to the great Spanish masters, like Velazquez or Goya, and to the artists considered regional, such as Morales. The first travelling exhibitions of Spanish art outside Spain were devoted to modern art. After the establishing of the Francoist regime, the country became totalitarian, with the authority controlling all spheres of life including culture and exhibition policy of the museums. As Franco proclaimed nationalist ideas, he supported the organization of travelling exhibitions of Spanish art in particular. They were timed according to important state events, particularly to anniversaries of Franco’s rule, and were used as a political instrument of establishing of Franco’s dictatorship and its prestige in the world. Naturally, they did not pursue any research or education purposes. The exhibitions were devoted to Spanish art in general without focusing on a particular period or a particular master. After Franco’s death the number of exhibitions increased, but traditionally they continued to deal with Spanish art in general. It was only in the beginning of the 21st century that Spanish museums started to organize monographic exhibitions. The author has analyzed the information from the official Prado site about the exhibitions of Spanish painting from the Prado Museum, studied the history of the exhibitions with its relation to the history of Spanish culture, revealing some factors of the development of exhibition policy. This research has resulted in a convincing description of the development of travelling exhibition activity on the history of Spanish art outside Spain.

Publication Impact Profile

• Captures
• Mendeley - Readers: 1

PLUMX see details

DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sws.iscah.2020.7.1/s22.08

Publication details

Back to publication list