Art and Power in Postwar Spain (1939-1953) (Spanish and English Edition)

The exhibition catalogue, curated by María Dolores Jiménez-Blanco, is held at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía from April 27 to September 26, 2016. The exhibition, titled after a novel by Max Aub, examines Spanish artistic practices during the 1940s, a period that has received relatively little historiographical and critical attention, despite its significance in shaping modern sensibilities in Spain.

This volume addresses the defining characteristics of the complex cultural landscape of the era, which saw the interplay of alliances and confrontations between art and power. Concepts such as resilience, resistance, repression, reconstruction, and reinvention, as well as exile, recovery, and the official appropriation of modernity, are explored in depth.

Organized thematically into fifteen sections, the catalogue contains over a hundred carefully selected historical documents, each introduced by experts. The diverse range of materials, including artworks, publications, and archival documents, offers a multifaceted perspective on the artistic and cultural dynamics of the 1940s in Spain.

Through this comprehensive examination, the exhibition and accompanying catalogue provide valuable insights into a pivotal, yet often overlooked, period in the country's artistic and cultural development. By shedding light on the intricacies of this era, the project aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolution of modern sensibilities in the Spanish context.

The catalogue's thematic organization allows readers to navigate the complex web of relationships, tensions, and transformations that characterized the cultural landscape of 1940s Spain. From the interplay of art and power to the diverse manifestations of resilience, resistance, and reinvention, the volume offers a nuanced and multifaceted exploration of this pivotal moment in Spanish cultural history.

Overall, this exhibition catalogue serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and art enthusiasts interested in the rich and complex artistic and cultural heritage of Spain during the 1940s. By presenting a comprehensive and insightful examination of this underexplored period, the project contributes to a deeper understanding of the pivotal role it played in shaping the country's modern artistic sensibilities.

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