Spanish Civil War & Interwar Art: A Historical Overview

1.1 The Rise of Right-Wing Governments (1934-1936)

1.1.1 Conservative Government's Rise to Power

A conservative government came to power and suspended previous government reforms.

In 1934, a general strike led to two significant events:

• A social revolution in Asturias
• Cataluña proclaiming itself an independent state

New elections were held in 1936.

1.1.2 The Popular Front Government

The Popular Front, comprised of various left-wing parties, won the 1936 elections and continued implementing the reforms that the previous government had suspended.

Protests erupted between Falangists, Socialists, Anarchists, and Communists.

In July 1936, a faction of the military rebelled against the government, initiating the Spanish Civil War.

1.2 The Spanish Civil War

Led by Generals Mola, Sanjurjo, and Franco, the military uprising aimed to:

• End the ongoing social disturbances
• Halt the reforms introduced by left-wing governments
• Prevent a potential revolution that might lead to the establishment of a Communist state in Spain

Their plan involved establishing an authoritarian regime. Spain became divided into two opposing sides, and civil war broke out:

• Nationalists: Supported the military uprising and received backing from Germany, Italy, and Portugal.
• Republicans: Remained loyal to the Republican government and received support from the USSR and International Brigades.

The Nationalist army captured Madrid in 1939, ending the war with a Nationalist victory under Franco's leadership. This resulted in an authoritarian dictatorship inspired by Nazi and Fascist ideologies.

2. Art in the Interwar Period

Artists used their work to critique the political, economic, and social circumstances of this period. Others shifted away from everyday reality and focused on the imagination.

2.1 New Objectivity

• Emerged in 1920s Germany
• Depicted the harsh realities of war
• Critiqued German society in the Weimar Republic
• Exemplified by Otto Dix's work on trench warfare

2.2 Surrealism

• An avant-garde style of painting in Europe and the US from 1925 to 1940
• Focused on imaginary scenes, dreams, and fantasies rather than reality
• Notable artists include Salvador Dalí (The Persistence of Memory) and Joan Miró (Harlequin's Carnival)

Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes often censored artistic production, using art as a form of propaganda.