The Art of Spain Season 1 Episode 2 The Dark Heart

In season 1 episode 2 of The Art of Spain, titled "The Dark Heart," we are taken on a journey through Spain's tumultuous history as we explore the impact of the devastating civil war on its artists and their work.

Host Andrew Graham-Dixon delves into the art of the period, shining a light on the struggles and triumphs of Spain's artists during a time of intense political and social upheaval. The episode features interviews with historians, curators, and contemporary artists, giving a comprehensive view of the impact of this dark period on the art world.

We begin our journey with a visit to Madrid's Reina Sofia Museum, home to Picasso's iconic painting "Guernica," a powerful work created in response to the bombing of the Basque town during the Spanish Civil War. The painting has become a symbol of the atrocities committed during the conflict, and its creation was a defining moment in Picasso's career.

From there, we delve into the works of other artists who were also affected by the war. We examine the works of Juan Gris, who left Spain prior to the outbreak of the conflict and found refuge in Paris. Here, he created works that reflected his anxiety and despair at the events unfolding in his homeland.

We also take a look at the art of Joan Miro, a Catalan artist who used his work to express his political views and his desire for Catalan independence. His works of this period are deeply emotional and express a sense of loss and despair.

Throughout the episode, we see how the war impacted not only the artists but also the art world itself. Many museums and galleries were closed, and artists were unable to show their work or find buyers. Yet, despite these difficulties, many artists continued to create, driven by a desire to express their views and share their vision with the world.

Alongside the paintings, we also explore the impact of the war on other forms of art. We visit the Valencia theatre, where we see the lasting impact of the conflict on theatre and performance. Here, we learn about the importance of the theatre during the Republican period, the challenges of staging productions in wartime, and the way in which theatre was used to communicate political messages.

Finally, we visit the small town of Beget in the Catalan Pyrenees, where we discover the beautiful Romanesque frescoes that adorn the local church. These works were created in the 12th century, long before the Spanish Civil War, yet they too were impacted by the conflict. We learn how the frescoes were hidden during the war to protect them from damage and how they were rediscovered in the post-war period.

Overall, "The Dark Heart" is a powerful exploration of the impact of war on art and artists. Through Graham-Dixon's insightful commentary and the stunning works on display, we gain a deep understanding of the way in which the Spanish Civil War changed the artistic landscape of Spain and how it continues to impact the country's art world today.