Art of urgency. Contributions to the Critical Debate of the Spanish Civil War Propaganda art.

Abstract

The concept «arte de urgencia» defined, during the Spanish Civil War propaganda art, the artistic practice of agit-prop of Leninist inspiration. This article provides a critical review of the debate held by the artists and writers to the dissatisfaction produced by this type of art. Authors of Marxist affiliation or linked to the Spanish Popular Front positions, took part in the debate about Realism and the modern meanings of agitation (poster, photomontage, typography). This discussion took place in some important press and literary ambience, reflects a common concern to the artistic environments of the European left-wing parties and it had also a general objection from the anarchist positions.