exhibitions
In the 75th anniversary of his death, the exhibition Esto me trae aquí. Ricardo de Orueta (1868-1939), en el frente del arte traces a path through the personal, intellectual and political biography of one of the authors who brought Spain into modernity. Being an essential figure in the field of Art and Heritage, he has always been omitted when describing that "celebration of intelligence" that was the Silver Age of the first third of the 20th century in Spain. This is an unfair oblivion, because during his life Orueta provided a testimony of an artistic authority, a moral integrity and modernity, working as cultural manager and protector of the Heritage, which made him highly regarded among the public. The title of the exhibition, Esto me trae aquí -'this brings me here'-, summarises his spirited decision of putting Spain on the top of the European nations in the respect, custody and awareness of the value of its artistic treasure.
More than one hundred pieces including sculptures, books, personal documents, letters, manuscripts and paintings constitute this sample which is divided in three chronological blocks.
Between 1910, the year in which he arrived in Madrid, and 1931, when he became active in politics, we could find him in the most significant scenarios -like la Institución Libre de Enseñanza, the Residencia de Estudiantes and the Centro de Estudios Históricos- in the most renewing experiments and in the most committed circles. Then, after the proclamation of the Second Republic, he became part of the minority of governing intellectuals who would turn culture into the symbolic showcase of the new State. Before long, and with an unwavering will, he started up measures and, ambitious and advanced projects which today are considered anonymous. His legacy is extraordinary.
In 1939, in a climate of defeat, he died in Madrid. His remembrance, his achievements and even his name -the cruelest of amnesias- were deliberately silenced.
In the 75th anniversary of his death, the exhibition Esto me trae aquí. Ricardo de Orueta (1868-1939), en el frente del arte traces a path through the personal, intellectual and political biography of one of the authors who brought Spain into modernity. Being an essential figure in the field of Art and Heritage, he has always been omitted when describing that "celebration of intelligence" that was the Silver Age of the first third of the 20th century in Spain. This is an unfair oblivion, because during his life Orueta provided a testimony of an artistic authority, a moral integrity and modernity, working as cultural manager and protector of the Heritage, which made him highly regarded among the public. The title of the exhibition, Esto me trae aquí -'this brings me here'-, summarises his spirited decision of putting Spain on the top of the European nations in the respect, custody and awareness of the value of its artistic treasure.
More than one hundred pieces including sculptures, books, personal documents, letters, manuscripts and paintings constitute this sample which is divided in three chronological blocks.
Between 1910, the year in which he arrived in Madrid, and 1931, when he became active in politics, we could find him in the most significant scenarios -like la Institución Libre de Enseñanza, the Residencia de Estudiantes and the Centro de Estudios Históricos- in the most renewing experiments and in the most committed circles. Then, after the proclamation of the Second Republic, he became part of the minority of governing intellectuals who would turn culture into the symbolic showcase of the new State. Before long, and with an unwavering will, he started up measures and, ambitious and advanced projects which today are considered anonymous. His legacy is extraordinary.
In 1939, in a climate of defeat, he died in Madrid. His remembrance, his achievements and even his name -the cruelest of amnesias- were deliberately silenced.
DATES AND LOCATION
Residencia de Estudiantes
March 26 — June 23, 2015
CREDITS
Organizers
Museo Nacional de Escultura
Acción Cultural Española (AC/E)
Ayuntamiento de Málaga (Museo del Patrimonio Municipal)
Residencia de Estudiantes
Colaborator
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
Curators
María Bolaños Atienza
Miguel Cabañas Bravo
