Brighton Public Art Galleries - Exhibition of Modern Spanish Art

Fine Arts Sub-Commitee:
Chairmain: A. J. Mavrogordato; His Worship the Mayor (Aldermann J. I. Otter).
Ald. C. Thomas-Stanford, J.P., M. A., F. S. A.; Ald. Tester; Ald. Wilson.
Councillor Poole; Councillor Southall; Councillor Stevens, J. P.; C.H.H. Burleigh, B. A.; W. B. Chamberlix; H. C. Fairfax-Chomelem; F. Davey; D. Fox-Pitt; Colonel R. C. Goff, R. P.E.; A. F. Graves; Mrs. A. O. Jennings; Miss Savill; W. Clarkson Wallis, J. P.

Patrons:
His Majesty the King of Spain
Her Majesty he Queen of Spain
H. R. H. Princess Henry of Battenberg
Excm̃o Señor Ministro de Instrucción Pública y Bellas Artes; Excm̃o Señor Embajador de España en Lóndres (honorary President oft he Exhibition);
Excm̃o Señor Don José Villegas, Director del Museo del Prado; Excm̃o Señor Don Antonio Muñoz Degrain, Director de la Escuela de Bellas Artes de San Fernando; Excm̃o Señor Don Francisco Pradilla; Excm̃o Señor Don Alejandro Ferrant, Director del Museo de Arte Moderno; Excm̃o Señor Don Mariano Benlliure; Excm̃o Señor Don José Moreno Carbonero.

Spanish Committee (El Comité de la Asociación de Pintores y Escultores de Madrid): Excm̃o Señor Don Joaquin Sorolla Bastida, President. Señor Don José Garnelo, Secretary. Excm̃o Señor Don Miguel Blay. Señor Don Manuel Benedito. Señor Don José Pinazo Martinez.

Henry D. Roberts. Director.

Nr. of pages: 52 [PDF page Number: 56].
Holding Institution: Victoria & Albert National Art Library

Henry D. Roberts: Introduction, p. 3-5

Whit this exhibition of Modern Spanish Art, the fifth in the series of exhibitions dealing with works of Continental schools is reached. The exhibition of Modern French Art (1910), Modern Swedish Art (1911), Modern Danish Art (1912) and of Modern Norwegian Art (1913) were very successful, and the Committee believe that the Spanish exhibition will be of as great interest as those already held in these Galleries. Every effort has been made to ensure that the exhibition should be thoroughly representative, and in every way national character. It is a matter of regret that a few of the more prominent Spanish Artists, whom it would be invidious to refer to by name, are not represented in the exhibition. With only two or three exceptions, all the artist who works are exhibited are now living.
The Committee desire to record their grateful thanks to T. M the King and Queen of Spain an H. R. H. Princess Henry of Battenberg, who have been graciously pleased to accord their patronage to the exhibition.
To H. E. the Spanish Ambassador in London (Señor Don Alfonso Merry del Val), who accepted their invitation to become the Honorary President of the exhibition, the Committee are much indebted. His Excellency, from the inception of the exhibition, has taken a very deep interest in all its detail, and has given much valuable assistance.
In previous similar exhibitions it has been customary to print an article, dealing with the modern art of the country in question, written by an art critic of repute and authority. This year the catalogue contains no such articles, but it is hoped that those interested will consult the books and magazine articles on the subject contained in the Brighton Public Library, a list of some of which is to be found on pages 6 to 17. So it is intended to allow the exhibition to speak for itself, and there is authority for saying that, it is one of the best that has ever been got together. This is mainly due to the excellent way in which the exhibits have been collected by the Committee of the Asociation de Pintores y Escultores in Madrid ( of which H. M. the King Of Spain is Honorary President), [ p. 3] which has acted as the Madrid Committee for this exhibition. A glance at the biographical notes in the index will show the standing of the members of the Madrid Committee, and will prove their fitness for the responsible task they were good enough to undertake. This Committee was admirably assisted by the Conde de Pradere, in Paris; by Señor Chicharro in Rome; and by Señor Vasquez, in Barcelona. To all these gentlemen the Fine Arts Committee wish to tender their sincere thanks.
The Exhibition has been hung in the main according to a plan prepared by the Madrid Committee, but advantage has been taken of the permission to vary the arrangement as might be found desirable.
While the name of the Ministro de Instruccion Publica y Bellas Artes appears amongst the list of patron, the Spanish Government has also shown its practical interest by lending a building I Madrid for the reception of the exhibits which were sent from various part of Spain to the capital. Picture have also been sent from Rome, Paris and London.
The biographical not previously referred to are an innovation as far as our catalogues are concerned. In most instance they have been supplied direct, and show more than any words of mine the importance of the exhibiting artist, the majority of whom have already achieved distinction. These necessarily restricted notes should form a valuable addition to the history of modern Spanish art.
One criticism which might be levelled against the exhibition is the comparative deficiency of landscapes, but the answer is that, as far as my experience goes, the Spanish artists devote more time to figure and genres subjects, and less attention to landscapes (and water colours) than is the custom in this country.
Some difficulty may be experienced by English visitors in connection with the names of the artists, and in order to make matters easier I have underlined in the catalogue the first word of the surname, which is also the word under which biographical particulars are to be found in the index
The exhibition poster (which is reproduced on the cover of the catalogue) is the work of Señor Don José Pinazo Martinez, who is also an exhibitor. The Committee desire to thank Señor Pinazo Martnez for the important service he has rendered. [ p.4]
As it is expected that a large number of Spanish visitors will see the exhibition, the catalogue has been printed in both Spanish and English. The Fine Arts Committee have decided to publish only one edition, with 36 pages of illustration of some of the principal exhibits.
The majority of the exhibits are for sale, and a priced catalogue may be consulted in the room. A deposit of 10 per cent. Must be made at the time of purchase. Any pictures, etc., sold at the exhibition cannot delivered until it is closed, and must be removed at the expense of the purchaser.
Copyright of all pictures, etc., in the exhibition, including those printed in the catalogue, is strictly reserved. Application to reproduce any of them must made to the Director.
The portraits of T. M. the King and Queen of Spain are reproduced from photographs by Messrs. Franzen, Madrid. Some of the reproductions in the catalogue are from photographs taken in Spain, but the majority of the illustrations are from photographs by Mr. S. B. Hardcastle and Messrs. Benn & Cronin, Brighton.
The work of organising the exhibition has been very great, and I desire to acknowledge the help I have received from the members of the staff of the Institution in the task of compiling and editing this catalogue, and particularly I wish to thank Mr. and Miss Serrano for their valuable assistance in translation. HENRY D. ROBERTS, Director. [P 5]

“Fine Arts Sub-Committee/Patrons/Spanish Committee”, 1 p.
“Introduction”, p. 3-5
“List of Some Books, &c., In The Brighton Public Library Dealing with Spanish Art, Ancient and Modern”, p. 6-17
- “General; and Ancient Spanish Painting.”, p. 6-9
- “Works Dealing With Individual Artists (Old Masters)”, p. 10-14
- “Modern Spanish Painting. General Works”, p. 14-15
- “Works Dealing With Individual Artists (Modern)”, p. 15-17
“Catalogue”, p. 18-32
- “Room I; Oils, &c.”, cat. no. 1-58, p. 18-21
- “Room II; Oils, &c.”, cat. no. 59-115, p. 22-25
- “Room III; Oils, &c.”, cat. no. 116-168, p. 25-28
- “North Corridor, Screen. Water Colours &c.”, cat. no. 169-181, p. 29
- “North Corridor, on Wall. Water Colours &c.”, cat. no. 182-201, p. 30
- “Statuary. Room I”, cat. no. 202-212, p. 31
- “Statuary. Room II”, cat. no. 213-226, p. 31-32
- “Statuary. Room III”, cat. no. 227-229, p. 32
“Index and Biographical Details”, p. 33-52

- Biographies of artist provided in catalogue.
-The version of the catalogue from which the information were taken is not complete and does not contain any reproductions. Therefore for all the entries the reproductions were set on “maybe”.