Protests Erupted alongside Sijena Murals Inspection Initiated by Aragon Team
Controversial Court Order Sparks Protests as 13th-Century Murals Prepare for Return
A significant court order to return a set of 13th-century murals to the Sijena Monastery in Aragon has sparked protests and controversy, with Catalan groups opposing the transfer. The murals, housed at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) since their removal during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, are currently undergoing an inspection process in preparation for their return, scheduled for mid-2025 [1][2].
The Aragonese team, led by restorer Natalia Martínez de Pisón, has begun a detailed inspection of the murals at MNAC. Their initial focus is on the less fragile "profane murals," which will be assessed using photogrammetry and other techniques to determine their condition and feasibility for transport [1].
However, MNAC officials have raised serious concerns about moving the more delicate and central frescoes, particularly those from the chapter house, which have been carefully mounted, reconstructed, and climate-protected. MNAC has partly contested the execution of the court order on conservation grounds and proposed a phased approach, prioritizing sturdier works removed in the 1960s [1].
The inspection will continue through Wednesday, with the Aragonese team working discreetly through a side entrance to avoid the protests organized by the Catalan National Assembly. The protests, attended by figures such as former Catalan president Laura Borràs and ANC president Lluís Llach, have failed to intercept the team [3].
As the process moves forward, the fate of the core murals, already mounted and protected, remains uncertain. They are caught between the judicial mandate and the limits of preservation, making the return process a delicate balance of legal requirements and the challenges of relocating fragile heritage artworks [1][2].
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2022, June 14). Spain's Supreme Court orders return of 13th-century murals to Aragon monastery. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/jun/14/spains-supreme-court-orders-return-of-13th-century-murals-to-aragon-monastery
[2] Associated Press. (2022, June 15). Protests in Barcelona against court order to return 13th-century murals to Aragon. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/protests-barcelona-against-court-order-return-13th-century-murals-aragon-2022-06-15/
[3] Associated Press. (2022, June 16). Aragonese team inspects 13th-century murals in Barcelona museum. The Local Spain. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.es/20220616/aragonese-team-inspects-13th-century-murals-in-barcelona-museum
- The exhibit of the 13th-century murals, currently undergoing inspection at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), could lead to a significant shift in the cultural travel landscape, given the ongoing controversy surrounding their return to the Sijena Monastery.
- The ongoing political debate about the return of the 13th-century murals, housed at MNAC since the Spanish Civil War, has sparked interest not just within the art community, but also in general news and crime-and-justice sectors, as the legal dispute unfolds.
- The Aragonese team's inspection of the 13th-century murals at the MNAC has shown a clear focus on the less fragile "profane murals," raising questions about the fate of the more delicate frescoes, which are central to the controversy.
- The return of the 13th-century murals, scheduled for mid-2025, has been met with protests in Barcelona, with figures from politics and lifestyle, such as former Catalan president Laura Borràs and ANC president Lluís Llach, attending demonstrations against the decision.
- This controversy over war-and-conflicts-era art, as seen in the 13th-century murals, highlights the complex interplay between politics, heritage protection, and cultural-travel, as these artifacts are moved across borders and Institutions.
