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| Vol. 18, No. 17 | Jan. 21, 1999 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 17 | Jan. 21, 1999 |
The traveling exhibition showcases the emotional and impressive propaganda posters that encouraged the Spanish people to fight back against fascism during the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War.
More than 40 color posters and lithographs are included in the exhibit, as well as many black and white photos brought back by members of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade-the unit of American volunteers who fought against fascism during the war. The posters not only document this important historical period, but also have become internationally celebrated works of art due to their disturbing images, brilliant colors and forceful political statements.
The exhibition is divided into four parts. The first is entitled "The Struggle Against Fascism;" the second introduces four relatively obscure poster artists: Sim, Bardasano, Puyol and Renau; the third part looks at Art and Politics; and the fourth section is an Abraham Lincoln Brigade photo album.
The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in July of 1936 is considered by many historians to be the opening salvo of World War II. Spanish military troops, led by General Francisco Franco and backed by Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini, rebelled against the democratically elected Loyalist Republic government of Spain.
Western powers, such as Britain, France and the United States, chose to remain neutral and kept their armed forces out of the war. However, 40,000 volunteers from 53 countries enrolled in the cause and formed the International Brigades to defend freedom in the Spanish Republic.
Among these volunteers were 2,800 Americans who formed the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, a diverse collection of political activists and idealists. Over one third of them were killed and thousands more wounded during the war. Eventually, Franco's forces overpowered the resistance and his regime ruled Spain for the next 40 years.
The posters in this exhibition were created to provide images of encouragement and information to a largely illiterate peasant population. The idea behind their creation was the belief that advertising imagery could convey statements of political and social importance as well as boost morale during the struggle.
The posters capture the spirit of the war and often express "communist" ideas, which at the time much more closely resembled democratic ideals. They range in style from surrealism to expressionism to social realism. Although their initial purpose was inevitably practical, the posters have become objects of art in their own right.
This traveling exhibition of graphic works was organized by the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) at Brandeis University by curators Peter Carroll and Cary Nelson in 1996 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War. It has been exhibited extensively throughout the nation. ALBA is a nonprofit national organization devoted to the preservation and dissemination of the record of the American role in the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath.
Andrew H. Lee, ALBA board member and Tamiment Librarian of the Tamiment Library at New York University, will present a free lecture and walking tour of the exhibition from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25.
The University Gallery is located on the second floor of Old College on the corner of Main Street and North College Avenue, in Newark. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The gallery is closed on Mondays and all University holidays.
For more information, call 831-8242. Visit the University Gallery online at <http://seurat. art.udel.edu>.
