Contribución escultórica al imaginario franquista en MurciaJuan González Moreno

Abstract

This paper discusses about life and work of Juan Gonzalez Moreno, sculptor born in Murcia who mostly developed his sculptural activity during the dictator Franco period. Actually, Juan Gonzalez Moreno contributed to the consolidation of the political- religious imagery during the Spanish dictatorial regime with his artistic production. His academic background was initially developed in the workshops of Murcia (Spain). After that initial period, he moved to Madrid where he kept in touch with the vanguards of those years making friends with other sculptors, such as Benjamin Palencia and Alberto Sanchez. He returned to Murcia when the Spanish civil war broke out, collaborating with the Republicans as a member of the Municipal Commission. This commission was in charge of saving and maintaining the artistic and religious heritage of Murcia (Spain). At the end of the Spanish Civil War, Juan Gonzalez Moreno went out of Spain in order to continue his academic background, being a relevant opportunity to improve his professional skills and to leave Spain during the post-war period and the dictatorship. Nevertheless, Juan Gonzalez Moreno was always able to work for both Murcia local and regional public administration. During these decades, he made several sculptures located in the most significant places of the city of Murcia (Spain), being focused on strengthening the national Catholicism values.