I would like to tell you a story about how good are artworks for your morale. It happened during the Second World War.
The bombing by the Germans during the Second World War in the UK caused the closing of the doors of all museums. The director of the National Gallery of London, Kenneth Clark, while reading the newspaper, found out an article addressed to him. It was a letter from a reader who asked him if he could reopen the doors of the National Gallery.
Obviously, it would be very dangerous for the artworks but the director was impressed by this request. “It is precisely because of the war that we need to see beautiful things,” thought the director.
How to do? The National Gallery, like other museums, emptied their exhibition halls. Then all the artworks were put in an abandoned mine in Wales. This precaution proved to be effective because nine bombs fell on the National Gallery building since 1940. Because of that danger, the museum obviously could not reopen.
But Londoners needed consolation and Kenneth Clark made an unprecedented decision: he asked for a painting to arrive secretly every month. This operation was carried out following the highest security criteria, so that the “painting of the month” did not risk anything. Two guards had to watch over the artwork and at the slightest warning signal they were ready to evacuate it. Every night, the artwork was placed in an underground secured room.
Much to Clark’s amazement, the public showed up at the monthly appointment and this initiative lasted until the end of the war. Paintings by Titian, Velázquez, Renoir, and many more, went back and forth to warm up the soul of Londoners. As the author of the letter said, “it’s risky, but worth!”
I believe this story is very much linked to Andrew’s post The Power of Art: How Beauty Can Save the World.
Would you agree that art not only can save the world but it is also good for the morale?
I think art speaks to the spiritual dimension of human existence, it connects us to others and is deeply therapeutic. Nice post:)
Just so true and amazing 🤎
What a great story! And I think it probably also speaks to the power of having something to look forward to as well. Love this post – thank you!
I definitely believe that art is good for morale and much more.
How heroic and patriotic to share beloved art in the dark days of the war!
Great design, the beauty of nature, and the performing and visual arts…Such things are capable of lifting the spirits, stirring the imagination and inspiring us.
Beautiful post! <3
I was fortunate enough to travel to London in early March 2020 to visit London. While there, I spent a great deal of time in the National Gallery. It was exquisite.