The Influence of Art During a War
I recently read an article in the magazine "Travel and Leisure," that focused on the importance of securing and guarding art in Europe during World War II.
"Art can have a healing effect..." In our most recent prayer letter, we quoted Beat Rink regarding the importance art can have on people who need healing. In reading the article "The Art of War," I was reminded of how this truth has been displayed throughout history.
When World War II made its way into Italy, there was a movement to gather all important pieces of art, then have them moved to outlying villas, castles, and other secluded places that might be less affected by combat during the war. One particular family featured in this article, said by protecting the art in their home, they in a sense felt safer. "The Superintendency for the Museums of Florence asked permission to store [some paintings] in the castle as early as December 1942, and the Guicciardinis took care of the pictures while at the same time feeling "protected" by them. If the paintings were deemed to be safe?or safer?out there in the countryside, that must mean that the country was safe for people, or at least safer than Florence, right?"1
In the midst of war, a safe haven was found for various artifacts in order to preserve not only their history, but also the present and even a sense of normalcy. "A powerfully evocative atmosphere still fills this place, where, on an August afternoon in 1944, during a pause in combat, even [Great Britain?s] General Alexander came to pay his respects to the paintings..."2
Once the war ended, a significant effort was made to return all of the pieces of art to Florence, and in doing so marked the endeavor of rebuilding after the war. The U.S. even rendered aid by assigning Lieutenant Frederick Hartt as the U.S. Monuments Officer for Tuscany. "The story of how Florence got its pictures back is a testament to the city's colossal effort to rise from the ruin of war and find its splendor once again? when the paintings were finally and triumphantly transported back to Florence, on July 21, 1945, a huge crowd was waiting in the city's Piazza del Duomo."3 Once paintings, manuscripts, and statues were returned to the city of Florence, the people of Florence felt as though life had been returned to them.
Click here to read the full article of "The Art of War," by Ilaria Dagnini Brey
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1 Ilaria Dagnini Brey, ?The Art of War,? Travel and Leisure Nov. 2005: 175-183
2 Brey, 181
3 Brey, 176
