“Village & Church in Catalonia, Spain” by José Vives-Atsara oil, 16" x 20"
When I look at this landscape painted by Vives-Atsara, I cannot
help but to reflect upon the painter’s personal history and the many obstacles
he overcame in order to reach his goal of living in the United States. The
artist, originally from Catalonia, fought in the Spanish Civil War and was
eventually taken as a prisoner of war. In the book, “José Vives-Atsara: His Life
and His Art” by Nancy Glass West he reflects upon that time in his life. He shares
an account of the train ride to the internment camp where he was held. The
conditions during the trip were horrendous. He was forced into a boxcar with
sixty or seventy men for the five days it would take to reach the camp. Vives-Atsara
describes men crammed on top of one other, with only a small opening at the top
of the boxcar. He was pushed to the floor and unable to move. He survived on
sardines and oil from the can. Despite the deplorable conditions and the
desperate times, the artist remained hopeful, saying, “I saw men during those
five days who just gave up. I never thought I was going to die. I brainwashed
myself to believe everything would work out. When you depress yourself, see
things only from the negative side, you are lost. It is amazing what the human
body can stand. Somehow, in a crisis, you manage to multiply yourself.” Eventually,
with the help of his father, he was released and reassigned to Franco’s army.
After some time he was allowed to go home, a place he had not seen in a very
long time. When I look at “Village & Church in Catalonia, Spain” I can’t
help but envision the artist, or other countrymen like him, after a long
journey skulking through the night, risking everything to see their families.
They are tired and weary, but overcome with joy by the familiar sight and the pathway
home.
Quote: “José Vives-Atsara His Life and His Art”, Nancy Glass
West, page 20.
©Gina Martinez, Art Consultant, J.R. Mooney
Galleries, Boerne,TX
Please Contact J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art for Availability and Pricing
1.800.537.9609 Toll Free
210.828.8214 San Antonio, TX Location
830.816.5106 Boerne, TX Location
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