The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection and the Art Treasures of Spain

Wednesday 30th June, 2010 - Tuesday 30th November, 2010

Price: Admission Free

In 1937 the Spanish Civil War was rapidly destroying Spain’s greatest cities, and along with them, the country’s cultural heritage. Fearing that it might not be able to guarantee the safety of Spain’s greatest works of art, the Republican government asked for international support. One of the first to come to their aid was James Mann, Keeper of the Wallace Collection.

Between August 12th and 19th 1937 Mann travelled rapidly across war-torn Spain, dodging artillery shells, bullets and bombs to determine the hidden locations and conditions of hundreds of the world’s greatest art-works.

Having determined the dire peril in which this priceless and irreplaceable wealth of art treasures had been placed, Mann worked tirelessly to get something done about it. As a direct result of Mann’s public and private efforts, the Spanish Government moved quickly to secure its cultural heritage amidst the chaos of the Civil War. This work led directly to the formation of the International Committee for the Rescue of Spanish Art Treasures in February 1939.

In recognition of the support given during the Civil War, in January 2010 the Wallace Collection was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain. The Order, along with a display about Mann’s work in Spain, will be exhibited at the Wallace Collection from July to November 2010. Dr. Tobias Capwell, Curator of Arms and Armour, will be giving special gallery talks on this extraordinary story on Tuesday September 14th, Tuesday October 12th, and Tuesday November 9th.