British Artists And The Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) was one of the most significant conflicts of the twentieth century. Stretching far beyond an internal political clash between the Republicans and General Franco’s Nationalists, it united a generation of young writers, poets and artists in political fervour. This exhibition focuses on the impact of the Spanish Civil War on British visual artists, for the first time.

It will explore not only the ways that significant numbers responded in their own work, but also how the Spanish Civil War represented a spirit of internationalism that calls into question the view of Modern British art as ‘introspective’. It is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the arrival in Britain of Pablo Picasso’s iconic anti-war painting Guernica (1937).

Held in the main galleries 12-17.