Library History

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

     

    1982 Reading room

    Photo taken from the leaflet published by Barcelona City Council's Department of Culture.

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1992-2004 Reading stations and filing cabinets

    The Library room in the Convent of Sant Agustí.

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1992-2004 The information counter in the reading room

    The Library information counter in the Convent of Sant Agustí.

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

    1992 Front of the old Convent of Sant Agustí

    The Library is installed in its new home, in Carrer del Comerç, until December 2004.

     

     

  • 1987-1990 From the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat

    With the creation of the Parliament of Catalonia in 1980 and the publication of Barcelona City Council's new Museums Plan in 1984, the provisional move of the Library from the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat was tackled. The Library stayed in this place from 1987 to 1990, the year it was made part of the new project to create the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

     

     

    1991 News items in the press

    The new siting of the Library in the old Convent of Sant Agustí is announced.

    With the enactment of the Museums Law of 1990, the Library ceases to be a specialised municipal library and becomes part of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. The MNAC Board of Trustees is established and the provisional installation of the Library on the second floor of the old convent of Sant Agustí is approved, awaiting the definitive move to the Palau Nacional on Montjuïc. The Library becomes part of a new museum project.

     

     

  • 1987-1990 From the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat

    With the creation of the Parliament of Catalonia in 1980 and the publication of Barcelona City Council's new Museums Plan in 1984, the provisional move of the Library from the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat was tackled. The Library stayed in this place from 1987 to 1990, the year it was made part of the new project to create the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

     

     

    1988-1990 The Library team during the removal work

    The Library team that organized the move from the Casa de la Caritat to the Convent of Sant Agustí.

     

     

     

     

  • 1987-1990 From the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat

    With the creation of the Parliament of Catalonia in 1980 and the publication of Barcelona City Council's new Museums Plan in 1984, the provisional move of the Library from the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat was tackled. The Library stayed in this place from 1987 to 1990, the year it was made part of the new project to create the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

     

     

    1988-1990 The Library reading room

    In the Casa de la Caritat, the filing cabinets in the reading room are the same ones that have been in the Library since the beginning.

     

     

     

  • 1987-1990 From the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat

    With the creation of the Parliament of Catalonia in 1980 and the publication of Barcelona City Council's new Museums Plan in 1984, the provisional move of the Library from the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat was tackled. The Library stayed in this place from 1987 to 1990, the year it was made part of the new project to create the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

     

     

    1987 The books arriving in the new storerooms

    The books are taken to the storerooms in the Casa de la Caritat.

     

  • 1987-1990 From the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat

    With the creation of the Parliament of Catalonia in 1980 and the publication of Barcelona City Council's new Museums Plan in 1984, the provisional move of the Library from the Ciutadella to the Casa de la Caritat was tackled. The Library stayed in this place from 1987 to 1990, the year it was made part of the new project to create the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

     

    1987 Work to install the Library in the Casa de la Caritat

    The building of the Diputació de Barcelona's old printing press, in the Pati de les Dones of the Casa de la Caritat. It was a temporary home, whilst the Library's definitive move to the Convent dels Àngels was awaited.

    With the creation of the Parliament of Catalonia in 1980 and the need for room for its premises in the Ciutadella, the possibility of a new home for the Library began to be considered.

    In 1984 Barcelona City Council published the Museums Plan, which included the installation of the Library in the old Convent dels Àngels.

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1992 The authorities attend the opening ceremony

    The opening of the Library in the Convent of Sant Agustí: Pere Duran Farell, president of the MNAC Board of Trustees; Oriol Bohigas, head of Barcelona City Council's Department of Culture; Eduard Carbonell, director-general of the Generalitat's patrimony; Ramon Guardans, vice-president of the MNAC, and Xavier Barral, director of the MNAC.

    On March 19th the Library's new home is opened, and it changes its name to General Library of Art History.

     

     

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

    1985 Margarida Messeguer

    Librarian and Library manager from 1983 to December 1985, when she was replaced by the current manager, Rosa Reixats.

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

     

    1982 Leaflet published by Barcelona City Council's Department of Culture

    A foldout in Catalan and a bilingual leaflet in Catalan and Spanish were made.

     

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

     

    1980 c. 1980 Rosa Granés

    She was the librarian from the nineteen sixties and manager until 1983.

     

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

     

    1974 Staff work room in the Museum of Modern Art, in the Ciutadella Park

     

     

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

     

    1970 Staff work room in the Museum of Modern Art, in the Ciutadella Park

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

     

    1955 Book-plate of the Library, done by Enric Cristòfol Ricart

    This year the book-plate section is organized. Barcelona City Council holds a book-plate competition for the Library, with 2,500-peseta prizes to the two best ones, one for the etching technique and the other for drypoint. One of the winners is Enric Cristòfol Ricart and his work is reproduced for the use of the Library.

    Among other artists taking part in this competition were Francesc d'Assís Galí and Joan Colom.

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

     

    1948-1985 In 1948 Joan Ainaud de Lasarte is appointed director of Art Museums

    He is also appointed head of the Municipal Museums Operating Unit and secretary of the Museums Board. His many years in charge of the museums of Barcelona gave the definitive boost to the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona, in particular the acquisitions policy, which in those years rose from 8,000 pieces to over 80,000.

     

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

     

    1946-1947 Library cards of Josep Francesc Ràfols and Antoni Tàpies (numbers 100 and 62)

    These two reader's cards are representative of the Library's users in those years. One belongs to Josep Francesc Ràfols Fontanals, professor at the School of Architecture and art historian, and the other to a very young Antoni Tàpies, in his student days.

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    2004 Preparing to move the books in boxes

    On June 30th 2004 the service to the public in the Convent of Sant Agustí closes, in order to move the Library to the new installations in the Palau Nacional.

    The move to Montjuïc begins in November 2004 and ends on December 14th. 2,364 boxes of books, 37,500 folders of small exhibition catalogues and 28 press filing cabinets with 14,000 folders are transported.

     

     

  • 2005-2013 The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th 2005 in the MNAC building. It is named the MNAC Library.

    With regard to admissions, mention should be made of the commodatums of the library-archive of the Sala Parés and part of the material from the library of Joan Josep Tharrats. 

    In 2007 part of the library of Puig i Cadafalch was acquired.

    The computerization of the manual catalogue becomes the main priority. In November 2005 an agreement is signed with Fundación Telefónica, making it possible to set the date of February 2010 for the finalization of this project.

     

    2013 Biblioteca Joaquim Folch i Torres

    Amb motiu del 50è aniversari de la mort de Joaquim Folch i Torres, des del 30 de setembre, la Biblioteca duu el seu nom.

  • 2005-2013 The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th 2005 in the MNAC building. It is named the MNAC Library.

    With regard to admissions, mention should be made of the commodatums of the library-archive of the Sala Parés and part of the material from the library of Joan Josep Tharrats. 

    In 2007 part of the library of Puig i Cadafalch was acquired.

    The computerization of the manual catalogue becomes the main priority. In November 2005 an agreement is signed with Fundación Telefónica, making it possible to set the date of Fbruary 2010 for the finalization of this project.

     

    2007 Rosa Reixats

    She has been the Library manager since January 1986.

     

     

     

  • 2005-2013 The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th 2005 in the MNAC building. It is named the MNAC Library.

    With regard to admissions, mention should be made of the commodatums of the library-archive of the Sala Parés and part of the material from the library of Joan Josep Tharrats. 

    In 2007 part of the library of Puig i Cadafalch was acquired.

    The computerization of the manual catalogue becomes the main priority. In November 2005 an agreement is signed with Fundación Telefónica, making it possible to set the date of February 2010 for the finalization of this project.

     

    2005 Signing of the sponsorship agreement between Fundación Telefónica and the MNAC

    It is signed on December 20th 2005, for the computerization of the Library's retrospective manual catalogue.

    Signing on behalf of Fundación Telefónica, Javier Nadal, executive vice-president of Fundación Telefónica and director-general of Telefónica's Institutional Relations and Foundation, and on behalf of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Narcís Serra, president of the MNAC Board of Trustees.

    The signing of this agreement marks a very important turning point for the Library, as it means the complete automation of its collections. The first stage (to December 2006) makes it possible to access the book entries, and the second (until February 2010), all the collections: books, journals and reserve.

     

     

     

     

  • 2005-2013 The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th 2005 in the MNAC building. It is named the MNAC Library.

    With regard to admissions, mention should be made of the commodatums of the library-archive of the Sala Parés and part of the material from the library of Joan Josep Tharrats. 

    In 2007 part of the library of Puig i Cadafalch was acquired.

    The computerization of the manual catalogue becomes the main priority. In November 2005 an agreement is signed with Fundación Telefónica, making it possible to set the date of February 2010 for the finalization of this project.

     

    2005 Information counter in the MNAC's new home

     

  • 2005-2013 The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th 2005 in the MNAC building. It is named the MNAC Library.

    With regard to admissions, mention should be made of the commodatums of the library-archive of the Sala Parés and part of the material from the library of Joan Josep Tharrats. 

    In 2007 part of the library of Puig i Cadafalch was acquired.

    The computerization of the manual catalogue becomes the main priority. In November 2005 an agreement is signed with Fundación Telefónica, making it possible to set the date of Fbruary 2010 for the finalization of this project.

     

    2005 Compactus cupboards

    Compactus cupboards in the new home, in the basement of the Palau Nacional.

     

  • 2005-2013 The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th 2005 in the MNAC building. It is named the MNAC Library.

    With regard to admissions, mention should be made of the commodatums of the library-archive of the Sala Parés and part of the material from the library of Joan Josep Tharrats. 

    In 2007 part of the library of Puig i Cadafalch was acquired.

    The computerization of the manual catalogue becomes the main priority. In November 2005 an agreement is signed with Fundación Telefónica, making it possible to set the date of February 2010 for the finalization of this project.

     

    2005 Partial view of the mural paintings by the artist Joan Colom

    They decorate the Library reading room, in the old Tearoom in the Palau Nacional.

     

  • 2005-2013 The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th 2005 in the MNAC building. It is named the MNAC Library.

    With regard to admissions, mention should be made of the commodatums of the library-archive of the Sala Parés and part of the material from the library of Joan Josep Tharrats. 

    In 2007 part of the library of Puig i Cadafalch was acquired.

    The computerization of the manual catalogue becomes the main priority. In November 2005 an agreement is signed with Fundación Telefónica, making it possible to set the date of Fbruary 2010 for the finalization of this project.

     

    2005 Reading room

    Reading stations and shelves with the freely available books in the new home of the MNAC.

    The room includes 54 reading stations, which have connections for portable PCs, plus connection to Wi-Fi Internet and six PC terminals that make it possible to access the Library's on-line catalogue, databases and Internet.

     

  • 2005-2013 The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th 2005 in the MNAC building. It is named the MNAC Library.

    With regard to admissions, mention should be made of the commodatums of the library-archive of the Sala Parés and part of the material from the library of Joan Josep Tharrats.

    In 2007 part of the library of Puig i Cadafalch was acquired.

    The computerization of the manual catalogue becomes the main priority. In November 2005 an agreement is signed with Fundación Telefónica, making it possible to set the date of February 2010 for the finalization of this project.

     

    2005 News items in the press

    The press announces the opening of the Library in the MNAC's new home, in the Palau Nacional on Montjuïc.

    The Library reopens to the public on January 17th. The reading room includes 54 reading stations, which have connections for portable PCs, plus connection to Wi-Fi Internet and six PC terminals that make it possible to access the Library's on-line catalogue, databases and Internet.

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

    1945 First pages of the first readers' register

    This book covers two periods, the first between 1945 and 1969, with 334 Library card-holding readers, and the second, between 1979 and 1988, with 1,370.

    Frederic-Pau Verrié, who organized this service, has number 1. The museum curators are among the card-holding readers, as well as university lecturers and students and personalities from the world of art and culture of the time.

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1999 Events in the 7th Spanish and Portuguese Art Libraries Meeting

    Held at the Centro Cultural Conde Duque in Madrid, in April 1999.

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1998 Conference at the MNAC

    Conference held in the framework of the VI Encuentro de Bibliotecas de Arte de España y Portugal, at the MNAC, in April 1998.

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1998 Events in the 6th Spanish and Portuguese Art Libraries Meeting

    Held at the MNAC, in April 1998.

     

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1997 Events in the 5th Spanish and Portuguese Art Libraries Meeting

    Held at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos, in Valencia.

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1993 Events in the pre-conference of art libraries

    Held in the framework of the 59th IFLA Congress (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), organized by IFLA, the art librarians of Catalonia and the MNAC.

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    1992

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1992 Three-page-leaflet

    Published to mark the opening of the Library in the Convent of Sant Agustí.

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1992-2004 Book storeroom

    Storeroom of the Library in the Convent of Sant Agustí.

     

     

     

  • 1992-2004 Convent of Sant Agustí

    In 1992 the Library is provisionally installed in the Convent of Sant Agustí as the General Library of Art History. At this time it begins an intense period of participation in the organization of international conferences and symposia. In 2004 the move to the Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC, is prepared.

     

     

    1992-2004 Corridor leading to the storerooms and offices

    A corridor in the Library in the Convent of Sant Agustí.

     

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1936 Seal of the “Biblioteca d'Art de la Comissaria de Museus”

    La Generalitat abolishes the Barcelona Museums Board and creates the General Museums Commissariat. The Museums come under the control of Pere Coromines, commissary-director of Museums.

     

  • Graphic chronicle

    The 1888 Universal Exhibition entailed de first step for the creation of MNAC library. Eversince it has grown to currently become a reference point within our artistic and cultural patrimony. A century passed by since it’s beginning, and now is time to celebrate it.
     
    The graphic chronicle of the MNAC Library, structured in seven main periods, presents a journey in images through the history of this hundred-year-old institution. Throughout this itinerary, which runs until 2007, the Library's different homes can be seen, from the Ciutadella to the MNAC, passing through other emblematic places like the Casa de la Caritat.
     
    Moreover, you will see how the collections have been formed, in a combination of private wishes and institutional efforts.
     
    You will also be able to learn about the links that the politicians and cultural representatives of the period had with the Library. Personalities like Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Joaquim Folch i Torres or Joan Ainaud de Lasarte brought their intellectual solidity and the their organizing capabilities to the centre.
     
  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1934 Vestibule of the Museums Board's premises

    Picture of the Library vestibule when it is situated there.

     

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1934 Poster-advertisement for the Library of Art

    The poster shows us the organization of the different sections of the Library and the composition of the collections at the time: bibliographic section, department of art journals, photographic repertoire, with over 100,000 images, and the Cabinet of Drawings and Prints, with over 60,000 items.

     

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1934 Reading room

    The reading room of the Library in the Poble Espanyol.

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1934 Storeroom for large-format books

    The room where the Library's books were stored, in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1934 File room and reading room

    Two rooms of the Library in the Poble Espanyol.

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1934 File room and photographic repertoire room

    Two more rooms of the Library in the Poble Espanyol.

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1935 Cover of the Art Museums Bulletin, February 1935

    Esteve Cladellas publishes a long article in the Butlletí dels Museus d'Art about the Library's new installations and the Cabinet of Drawings with a lot of photographs, preceded by a summary of its history, which has been fundamental for learning about the centre and has become the basis for subsequent studies.

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1936 The artistic and bibliographic patrimony is moved to Olot, due to the Civil War

    With the outbreak of the Civil War the need to protect and safeguard the patrimony becomes clear, whereby the Catalan Government agrees to move the collections in the Museum to Olot.

    The Library, now called the “Museums Commissariat Library of Art”, travels to Olot along with the works of art between October and December this year. It is installed on the first floor of the Solà-Morales House, next to the offices of the Museums Commissariat.

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1936 The lorries arriving at the Casa Solà-Morales in Olot

    The Library is installed in this place for the duration of the Civil War.

     

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1936 Front of the Solà-Morales House in Olot

    Frontal view of the house where the Library was installed for the duration of the Civil War.

     

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1936 Francesc Font, Library assistant

    Photo of Francesc Font working in a room of the Solà-Morales House, in Olot, during the Civil War.

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1936 Storeroom for large-format books in the Solà-Morales House in Olot

    Storeroom for large-format books during the Civil War.

     

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

     

    1936 Storeroom in the Solà-Morales House in Olot

    Room the books were stored in during the Civil War.

     

     

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

    1944 The Library in the old Arsenal, home of the Museum of Modern Art, in the Ciutadella

    The Library is on the first floor. View of the vestibule and the filing cabinet room. After the war, the unitary feel that the Museums of Barcelona had had until then was lost.

    The Library changes its name to the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona and is run by Barcelona City Council. The Library manager is, at this time, Aurora Díaz-Plaja.

  • 1944-1986 Return to the Ciutadella

    In 1944 the Library returns to the Ciutadella as the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. It is now a specialised municipal library. From this period we should point out the important work of the then, and up to 1985, director of Art Museums, Joan Ainaud de Lasarte. In those years Joan Ainaud gave a great boost to acquisitions, which went from 8,000 to 80,000 pieces.

     

    1944 Library storeroom in the old Arsenal of the Ciutadella

    The old Arsenal becomes the home of the Museum of Modern Art and the Library of the Art Museums of Barcelona. The books were organized in five sequences, depending on their format.

     

  • 1888-1906 The beginnings

    The initial period shows us the Library's origins, which go back to the late 19th century, in the immediate context of the organization of the Universal Exhibition of 1888 in Barcelona. The Library is installed in the first museum infrastructures that are created in the Ciutadella park and receives the contributions of private libraries formed in the 19th century.

     

    1888 Official poster of the Universal Exhibition, done by Josep Lluís Pellicer

     

    The first initial core of the Library's collection is to be found in the gathering together of books made as part of the tasks in preparation for the Universal Exhibition in Barcelona. Material from private libraries formed in the 19th century were rapidly added to these, such as those of Martorell Penya, Pellicer, Vidal i Quadras, Riquer, Cabot and Esteva Nadal.

  • 1888-1906 The beginnings

    The initial period shows us the Library's origins, which go back to the late 19th century, in the immediate context of the organization of the Universal Exhibition of 1888 in Barcelona. The Library is installed in the first museum infrastructures that are created in the Ciutadella park and receives the contributions of private libraries formed in the 19th century.

     

    1891 Museum of Artistic Reproductions

     

    How the museum looked, assembled in the central nave of the Old Palace of Industry, in the Ciutadella park. For the first time, the Graphic Library is placed there, designed to contain the photographic reproductions of all the works in the museums, which will be added to with publications, postcards and photographs of Spanish and foreign works of art.

  • 1888-1906 The beginnings

    The initial period shows us the Library's origins, which go back to the late 19th century, in the immediate context of the organization of the Universal Exhibition of 1888 in Barcelona. The Library is installed in the first museum infrastructures that are created in the Ciutadella park and receives the contributions of private libraries formed in the 19th century.

     

    1905 The Old Arsenal of the Ciutadella, home of the Museum of Decorative and Archaeological Art

     

    In 1902 Barcelona City Council sets up the Museums and Fine Art Board. The Board proposes a new organization of the museums of Barcelona and creates the Museum of Decorative and Archaeological Art, partly formed by the material in the old Museum of Reproductions. In 1905 the Library moves to this new site.

     

  • 1888-1906 The beginnings

    The initial period shows us the Library's origins, which go back to the late 19th century, in the immediate context of the organization of the Universal Exhibition of 1888 in Barcelona. The Library is installed in the first museum infrastructures that are created in the Ciutadella park and receives the contributions of private libraries formed in the 19th century.

     

    1906 The Library in the Arsenal of the Ciutadella, home of the Museum of Decorative and Archaeological Art

     

    General view of the installation of the Museum in the new home.

  • 1888-1906 The beginnings

    The initial period shows us the Library's origins, which go back to the late 19th century, in the immediate context of the organization of the Universal Exhibition of 1888 in Barcelona. The Library is installed in the first museum infrastructures that are created in the Ciutadella park and receives the contributions of private libraries formed in the 19th century.

     

    1906 Catalogue of the Barcelona Museum of Fine Art

     

    Includes the announcement of the Museum visiting times and for the first time mentions the hours of opening to the public of “The Graphic Library”, which is placed at the disposal of the public every weekday morning "from 10 to 1".

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1907 Josep Puig i Cadafalch is the president of the Barcelona Museums Board

    On July 8th Barcelona City Council and the Provincial Diputació set up the Barcelona Museums Board under the presidency of Josep Puig i Cadafalch. A “Special Library Committee” is created. Among others, Lluís Nicolau d'Olwer and Jaume Bofill i Mates are on it.

    Josep Puig i Cadafalch takes personal charge of the organization of the Library, applying, right from the start, the international rules for the classification of material.

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1913 Joaquim Folch i Torres wins the post of Museums Board librarian

    The post of librarian is taken by Joaquim Folch i Torres after presenting a paper and winning the competition. He gets down to bringing the work begun by Puig i Cadafalch up to date. Joaquim Folch i Torres, museologist, historian and art critic, is subsequently director-general of the Art Museums of Barcelona from 1920 to 1926 and from 1930 to 1939.

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1913 Arts page of La Veu de Catalunya, March 6th

    On March 6th 1913 the “Special Public Art Library” appears announced on the Pàgina Artística of La Veu de Catalunya. It was open to the public in the morning, "from 10 to 1", every day except Mondays.

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1914 Label of the Vidal i Quadras Library

    The Vidal i Quadras donation is admitted, formed of 700 numismatics volumes, the initial core of the Numismatic Cabinet of Catalonia's Library. This material is now in the MNAC Library.

     

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1916 Cover of the book “Una visita al Museu de Barcelona”, by Joaquim Folch i Torres

    In this book the Library's installation and services in the old arsenal building are recorded, from this year on the home of the Museum of Art and Archaeology. It mentions that at that time the Library contains 3,000 items.

     

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

     

    1916 Plan of the first floor of the museum taken from the book “Una visita al Museu de Barcelona”

    A work from the collection of the Museum of Art and Archaeology of Barcelona. In this plan we can see the location of the spaces occupied by the Library, fully integrated in the workings of the museum.

     

     

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1921 Seal of the Riquer acquisition

    It is material admitted to the Library in 1921 thanks to the purchase made by the Museums Board. The Riquer acquisition is made up of 689 volumes and comprises books, journals, manuscripts and bindings.

    Of the books we should mention those by English art theorists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrated books, notable collections of journals and the incunabulum Liber Cronicarum of 1493.

     

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1928-1931 Library reading room in the Governor of the Ciutadella's Pavilion

    On January 14th, the Library and the collections of Drawings and Prints open to the public in the new home of the Ciutadella Governor's Pavilion.

    Service to the public is extended with afternoon opening hours.

     

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1928 Adaptation of the CDU for use by the Library

    The Museums Board publishes an adaptation of the Universal Decimal Classification for use by the Library of the Museums of Art and Archaeology.

     

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1931 Book-plate by Escornalbou, from the material in Eduard Toda's library, admitted to the Library this year

    Eduard Toda donated two lots of old bindings from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1931 Esteve Cladellas, Museums Board librarian in this period

    On December 17th the Library closes its home in the Ciutadella Governor's Pavilion in order to make room for the Generalitat high school. Esteve Cladellas organizes the move to the Casa Comunal in the Poble Espanyol.

     

  • 1907-1933 Consolidation and early travels

    In 1907, The Barcelona Museums Board creates the Special Library Committee. Two aspects should be mentioned about this period: on one hand the important efforts that Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Joaquim Folch i Torres made to consolidate the Library, and on the other the notable enrichment of the collection with the donation, in 1914, of the Vidal i Quadras Library, the Riquer acquisition in 1921, and the donation by Eduard Toda in 1931. In 1933, the Library moved to the Poble Espanyol, to premises created around the International Exhibition of 1929.

     

    1933-1935 Assembly hall of the Casa Comunal in Poble Espanyol

    The bundles of books are kept for almost two years in the assembly hall of the Casa Comunal, waiting to be moved to the new Museums Board building, also in the Poble Espanyol.

    During this time Esteve Cladellas does library economy work and organizes the move to the new site.

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

    1934 Bridge improvised in order to carry out the removal of the books

    The move was made from the Casa Comunal to the Casal de la Junta de Museos, in the Poble Espanyol.

  • 1934-1943 Poble Espanyol - Olot - Poble Espanyol

    In 1934 the Library opens in the Casa de la Junta de Museos in the Poble Espanyol. In 1936 it travels to Olot, along with the artistic and documentary patrimony, and is installed in the Solà-Morales House until 1939, when it returns to the rooms in the Poble Espanyol.

     

    1934 Front of the Museums Board buildings, in the Poble Espanyol, the Library's new home

    On December 5th the Library of Art opens, already installed in the Casal de la Junta de Museos, with the temporary president of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the temporary mayor of the city of Barcelona in attendance.