Evening star., 1939-04-09
Famous Works of Art
Survive Spanish War
BIZ Frederic J. Haskin.

OF the living during the years Of Spanish
civil war and yet 1t cannot be gainsaid
that large numbers of people. of every
age and In many countries, have been
alarmed concerning the fate Of the great
works Of art which were among the
treasures of Spain. The mature and the
old with artistic leanings have been
brought up, in part, on Spanish art,
while millions of school children of today
are taught of the beauties of the great
collections In Spain Of both native Span
ish work and that of other countries.
1t now is known that, after many vicis-
situdes, large number of the finest
examples which were in the troubled
country have been taken away. Most Of
them have found refuge at the palace of
the League of Nations at Geneva. Even
though the League has been unable to
bring peace among the nations of men 1t
has at least served the purpose of pro-
viding harborage for beautiful things
which have been admired and greatly
valued by many millions, regardless of
race or nationality.
The more intense art lovers of the
world have looked upon the Spanish art
treasures with as much concern as they
would feel toward living persons. In
deed in many cases that concern might
we'll be deeper, for the belligerents, to
most foreigners, have been complete
strangers engaged in fighting their own
quarrel, whereas favorite Ell Grecos,
Goyas or Murillos have been regarded as
old and deeply revered friends. This
curious concern has been deepened, be-
cause 1t has been felt that the Spanish
art treasures have been pathetically in
nocent bystanders, helpless to protect
themselves or flee of their own accord.
The fact is that the adventures of
many of the treasures of Spanish art
have been intensely romantic. They
have been through dangers in the same
way that living persons might. They
have been exposed to all the risks of
aerial and land bombardment, as we'll as
of wanton vandalism. They have lain in
secret hiding, and, finally, have expe-
rienced hairbreadth escapes across the
international border
Because, for so long, most Of Spain was
In the hands of the government which
recently fell, most of the more important
art treasures were in its hands. When
the insurrectionary troops of Gen Franco
began eating into Loyalist territory, they
found the more valuable things gone. 1t
is true that. because of the Communist
element which avowedlv is anti-religious
in the Loyalist ranks, the gravest fears
were entertained that wanton destruction
had been widespread. There is no doubt
that many sacred works of art were de-
stroyed by fanatic Communist or other
anti-clerical elements, but. so far as the
responsible officials were concerned,
every effort was made to preserve the
treasures which were held to be the prop
erty of the whole people
Early in the struggle the Loyalist gov
Tesoro Artistica as a special body to pro-
tect art treasures. Special refugees were
provided at Valencia and a great many
works were assembled there. When it
was feared that Frances troops would
cut Valencia off from Barcelona, there
was hasty transference to new refugees
near the latter city. This transference
was made just a year ago Part of the
art works were hidden in the monastery
of Santa Maria at Pedralbes, others were
placed in private villas near Viladran
and San Hilario
The next move was to the ancient cas-
tie of Perelada which is only about 80
miles from the French frontier. The
vaults of this old structure were consid-
cred bombproof second lot, consist
ing mostly of tapestries. went to the
castle of San Fernando. In no case wer~
the repositories regarded as permaner-
and constantly the search for surer pro-
lection was maintained Next, some of
the Escorial and Prado pictures found
refuge in Carmelite convent near the
French border. and. finally, the best hid
ing place of all was hit upon.
1t was an old tale mine, quite near the
French frontier, at Lavajol. The mine is
entirely dry and its lower depths were
ideal as safe hiding place There was
no danger from damp as there was in
some Of the castle and monastery dun
geons and crypts.
AS outside nations witnessed the steady
advances of Frances armies, concern
over the hidden treasures mounted anew.
Efforts were made to induce the Spanish
Republican government to move the
great collections out of the country en-
tirely. All these efforts failed until Jose
Maria Sert. the famous Catalan painter,
who is we'll known in the United States,
where he has lived, made the suggestion
that transference be made to Geneva.
committee took up the matter with
the League of Nations and an invitation
and offer of refuge was extended. An
international committee, on which the
Metropolitan Museum of Art at New
York was represented, was composed and
arrangements were made.
Gradually some effort at cataloeuing
the salvage will be made. Little is known
now save that the trainload of old mas
tiers probably is the richest ever trans
ported over rails. For example, 1t is esti-
mated that there were $50 old masters
from the Prado and 1913 cases from the
Escorial. The Bible of St. Louis from
Toledo also is reported saved.