war – Crisbie Coach

Art in the Time of War

During the tumultuous days of the Second World War, Kenneth Clark, the esteemed director of the National Gallery in London, was moved by an unexpected plea. While perusing the daily newspaper, he stumbled upon an article addressed to him. It contained a heartfelt letter from a reader, imploring him to reopen the museum’s doors, which had been shut due to the relentless German bombing.

The inherent danger to the priceless artworks was undeniable, yet Clark was struck by the poignant request. “It is precisely because of the war that we need to see beautiful things,” he mused, reflecting on the power of art to uplift spirits during dark times.

The challenge was formidable. Like many other museums, the National Gallery had cleared its exhibition halls, sending its precious collection to safety in an abandoned mine in Wales. This measure proved wise, as nine bombs had struck the National Gallery building since 1940, rendering a full reopening out of the question. Nevertheless, Clark was determined to provide solace to the war-weary Londoners.

In an unprecedented move, Clark introduced the “Picture of the Month” initiative. Each month, one masterpiece was transported back to the National Gallery under the strictest security protocols. This covert operation ensured that the artwork faced no risk. Two vigilant assistants stood by, ready to evacuate the painting at the slightest hint of danger. Every night, the piece was secured in an underground vault.

To Clark’s amazement, the public embraced this initiative with enthusiasm. Month after month, despite the ongoing war, Londoners flocked to the gallery to catch a glimpse of masterpieces by Titian, Velázquez, Renoir, and other luminaries. These artworks, shuttling back and forth, provided a much-needed balm for the city’s collective soul. As the letter’s author aptly put it, “It’s risky but worth it!”

This inspiring story begs the question: Do you agree that artworks are good for morale?

Why Art Matters in Times of Crisis

Art has always played a crucial role in human history, especially during times of crisis. The “Picture of the Month” initiative during WWII is a testament to this enduring truth. Here are a few reasons why art remains vital, even in the direst circumstances:

Emotional Respite: Art provides an escape, offering a moment of peace and beauty amidst chaos.
Cultural Continuity: It reminds us of our shared heritage and the enduring nature of human creativity.
Inspiration and Hope: Art can inspire resilience and hope, showcasing humanity’s ability to create and appreciate beauty, even in dark times.

The Legacy of Kenneth Clark’s Decision

Kenneth Clark’s decision to bring back one artwork at a time was more than a gesture; it was a lifeline for the spirit of Londoners. It highlighted the profound connection between art and the human experience, proving that even in the face of destruction, beauty and culture are indispensable.

So, the next time you visit a museum or gaze upon a beautiful piece of art, remember the courageous decision of Kenneth Clark and the solace it brought to many during the war. Art, indeed, is not just a luxury but a necessity for the human spirit.

Do you have a favorite piece of art that lifts your spirits? Share your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe to my blog, for more articles!

Do You Know the Story of Ferdinand the Bull?

This is a story about a bull named Ferdinand who lives in Spain. Unlike his young bull brothers who like to run, jump, and butt their heads together, Ferdinand prefers to sit quietly and smell the flowers. He is gentle and peace-loving.

One day, men come to pick the biggest, fastest, and roughest bull for the bullfights in Madrid. Despite his calm nature, Ferdinand is mistakenly chosen after accidentally sitting on a bee, making him jump and snort in pain, appearing fierce.

When Ferdinand is taken to the bullfight, everyone expects him to be a ferocious fighter. However, Ferdinand remains true to his nature. He simply sits in the middle of the arena, smelling the flowers in the ladies’ hair, refusing to fight. Ultimately, he is taken back to his peaceful pasture where he can continue to enjoy the flowers.

The story of Ferdinand is celebrated for its message of nonviolence and individuality. It emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not conforming to societal expectations.

The Story of Ferdinand was banned by Nazi Germany and other fascist regimes because its themes of pacifism and non-conformity were seen as subversive to their ideologies. The book’s promotion of peace and individualism directly contradicted the militaristic and conformist values promoted by these regimes.

In Nazi Germany, literature and art were heavily censored to align with the state’s propaganda and ideological goals. Anything that encouraged critical thinking, individuality, or opposition to violence was considered dangerous. Ferdinand’s refusal to fight, his contentment with simply smelling flowers, and the overall anti-war message of the book were seen as promoting ideals that could undermine the aggressive, war-driven mentality the Nazis sought to instill.

Similarly, the book was banned in Francoist Spain for similar reasons. Francisco Franco’s fascist regime viewed the book’s peaceful and non-conformist themes as a threat to the authoritarian and militaristic values it was trying to enforce.

In contrast, during the Spanish Civil War, the book was embraced by leftist and anti-fascist groups, who saw it as a symbol of resistance against tyranny and war.

The banning of “The Story of Ferdinand” by these regimes underscores how literature can be powerful in promoting ideas that challenge authoritarianism and advocate for peace and individuality.

What do you think about banning books from schools, something that is happening also nowadays?

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Celebrating Easter with a Poem

EASTER SUNDAY by Bertolt Brecht

Today, Easter Sunday morning
a sudden snowstorm swept over the island.
Between the greening hedges lay snow.
My young son drew me
to a little apricot tree by the house wall
away from a verse
in which I pointed the finger at those
who were preparing a war which
could well wipe out the continent, this island,
my people, my family
and myself.
In silence
we put a sack
over the freezing tree.‎

I find this poem very appropriate to the times we are living in. Unfortunately.

Happy Easter, may you find joy and peace!

How Has The Curfew Changed Your Habits?

When I hear about curfews, dark times come to my mind, times of war. Actually we have been fighting a war against Covid since March this year. There are no bombs, we don’t have to be evacuated, we can eat every day because there are enough food supplies. But the curfew has changed our habits, most probably also those related to meal times.

From North to South of Europe we eat at different times. Soon in the north, later in the south. Maybe you are invited to dinner by someone and the curfew forces you to eat earlier because then you have to go home. Or you eat later because you finish work late and don’t have time to buy something for dinner, or to stop by in a restaurant. The restaurants are closed, they only offer take-away service and you must go back home within the time set by the curfew.

A friend from Paris, before the city was put into total lockdown, had to return home by 9 p.m. We know that Paris is a big city and people often use public transport, which is very efficient. To be home by 9 p.m., she had to take the subway by 8:30 pm at the latest and therefore she was eating later than her previous habits. And she began to sleep badly.

If you make an appointment before the curfew begins, you may feel stressed out because you will have to rush to get home on time. Perhaps it would be better to stay at home and respect the government’s directions and limit our social contacts. But sometimes you want to be out for a while, to meet some friends.

The effects of the curfew are not only on your social life, but also on your health as a result of adapting to a new pace of life and changing your routine.

The new schedule imposed by the curfew may have advantages, for example, you stop working earlier, go home earlier and have dinner earlier. For example, you arrive home at 7 p.m., have dinner between 8 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., go to bed around 11 p.m. and get up at 7 a.m. the next day.

This would be optimal for your health. Indeed, you would better synchronize with your internal, external environmental and external social biological clocks (time).

Internal time is what marks your endogenous rhythm, which helps you sleep at night, stay awake during the day and eat at the right time for you.

External environmental time is determined by the alternation of the phases of light and dark generated by the solar cycle.

External social time can alter these balances. If your working schedule, lunch, dinner and leisure are not suitable to your biological type (chronotype) you could enter a phase of temporal disruption that may cause several health problems, like insomnia.

Our ancestors got up with the light and went to sleep with the dark. This rhythm allowed for adequate production of melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep), which allowed for a perfect balance between internal time and external time.

The habit of eating around 9:30 p.m. or even later goes against these natural cycles and makes it more difficult to rest well. A large dinner ending around midnight could cause difficult digestion at a time when the body should be resting instead.

It is therefore recommended to finish dinner at least two hours before going to bed to avoid poor quality sleep and an awakening marked by fatigue, irritability and low cognitive performance.

If you follow the biological rhythm of your body, you will have a big improvement in your overall health!

Do you think the curfew has made you change some of your habits?