Art Investment

Orders for the salvation of the cultural heritage of Spain

Yesterday, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has awarded the Order of representatives from nine major museums in the world, which during the Civil War, 1936-1939 in Spain helped to save the country's cultural heritage

Yesterday evening, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero) awarded the Order of Arts and Letters to representatives of the nine largest museums in the world, which during the Civil War, 1936-1939 in Spain helped to save the cultural heritage of the country - the most valuable works of art. The ceremony was held at the Prado Museum, in the hall in which to display the famous "Las Meninas" Diego Velázquez (Diego Velázquez). Awards honored New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Art and History in Geneva, the National Gallery, Tate Gallery and the Wallace Museum in London, the Louvre in Paris, France, Association of National Museums, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels, and Amsterdam Reyksmuzeum.

During the Civil War, 1936-1939 precious artifacts kept in museums and other cultural institutions in Madrid, the Republican, were in great danger because of the constant bombing of the Luftwaffe Legion Condor ", who fought on the side of General Franco. This situation is extremely worried about the Republican government. Manuel Azana (Manuel Azaña), the then president of Spain, wrote in his order, Juan Negrin (Juan Negrin), appointed prime minister in 1937: "Masterpieces of the Prado in Spain is more important than the Republic and the monarchy together ... if at least one picture will be lost or damaged, you have to shoot myself ».

Collection Prado, it was decided to hide in the basement of the Bank of Spain. But there she was severely damaged due to dampness. Moreover, the Republicans became increasingly difficult to contain the onslaught of Franco's troops at the gates of the Spanish capital, so the paintings and other valuables, it was decided to evacuate in Valencia. But here they could not stay for long. When the Republican forces were forced to retreat from the city, the director of the nine above-mentioned museums have volunteered to help remove the Spanish artifacts in a safe place. For this purpose, they formed the International Committee for the protection of artistic treasures of Spain and at their own expense outfitted 71 truck to transport artwork from Valencia on the border with France. In Barcelona, Girona and Figueres artifacts were taken to Perpignan, and thence shipped by train to Geneva, where they reached the 3 February 1939.

Thus, through the International Committee for the protection of artistic treasures of Spain managed to take not only the masterpieces from the Prado, but also objects from the collections of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, El Escorial, the Royal Palace, the National Library, as well as works belonging to the church, and works from private collections. From bombing and looting were rescued by 525 paintings, 180 drawings, as well as a collection of decorative arts from the Prado, formerly belonged to the Grand Dauphin Louis, son of Louis XIV.

All items have been returned from Switzerland in Spain before the Second World War.

Sources: ansamed.info , artdaily.com , artinvestment.ru


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