The Prado [antikvár]

FOREWORD The agitation aroused throughout the -world by the news during the Civil War that the Prado was threatened gave an indication of the importance to the very existence of our civilization of the preservation of its masterpieces. From all parts of the world visitors came like pilgrims to the unforgettable exhibition of the treasures of the museum held in 1939 at Geneva. Later, during the War, monuments and museums all over Europe found themselves in the same danger, and the protective measures which this first alarm had necessitated proved of great value. There were to be many more migrations of masterpieces, many more itinerant exhibitions before the treasures of Europe resumed their positions in their old homes. However, the interval had given an opportunity for many of the museums to be renovated, enlarged and improved. There are few better ways of going back to the very sources of European culture than to retrace the history of these great institutions, for they preserve the essence of man's creative genius. This is all the more true in that each great museum has an individual character: the various elements that go to make up each one bear witness to the spirit and mentality of the men who brought them together. Of the Prado, I would say only that it is a museum which lends itself exceptionally well to contemplation and study, for it is organized with the public in mind. This is not nearly as common as may be imagined and one may perhaps see in it a manifestation of Spanish generosity and nobility of spirit. With a conscientiousness fairly rare at the present time, when so many take it upon themselves to impose on others their own preferences and prejudices, the curators of the Prado make it their aim to exhibit all the works in their care. The basic principle of their method of presentation is objectivity and they subordinate their personal tastes to the demands of history and scholarship. The fact that every room of the museum is open every day without exception, that there are always the best possible facilities for working, photographing and copying, is of the greatest importance to the Prado's visitors who have often come from a considerable distance and who consequently appreciate these advantages at their