'Sim, Drawing and War' Exhibition
7 May 2026 – 31 December 2026 · 10:00
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, el Poble-sec, Sants-Montjuïc
Artist José Luis Rey Vila (Cádiz, 1900 - Paris, 1983), better known as Sim, left one of the most vivid testimonies to the drama of the Spanish Civil War, specifically in Barcelona. As part of a line of work begun years ago by the Museu focusing on the Civil War, almost fifty drawings by the artist, recently acquired by Museu Nacional, will be exhibited. All were created during the war, of which Sim was one of the most notable chroniclers. They are works of great quality and expressiveness, capturing different aspects of the conflict, from the brutality of battle between soldiers to the evacuation of civilians. The acquisition forms part of a policy to expand Civil War collections through purchases and donations, such as the donation of works by artist Helios Gómez made in 2025. These new additions, both works and artists, enrich the war collections ahead of the Museu's expansion, where this subject will have a significant space. Curated by Eduard Vallès.
Source: Ajuntament de Barcelona · checked on 8 September 2026