
Sim Acquisition, Drawing and War
Barcelona, Spain

José Luis Rey Vila, ‘Militiaman with a Pipe’. © Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. On deposit from the Government of Catalonia. National Art Collection.
The Movement
DrawingMeet the artist
José Luis Rey Vila
Exhibition Highlights
Discover the moving work of José Luis Rey Vila (1900–1983), the artist from Cádiz better known by his pseudonym, Sim. As one of the most remarkable storytellers of the Spanish Civil War, Sim left behind a vivid and personal record of the conflict, particularly the struggles faced in Barcelona.
This exhibition brings together nearly fifty drawings recently acquired by the Museu Nacional. Continuing our ongoing series of work dedicated to this period of history, these pieces highlight Sim’s incredible skill and emotional depth. His art takes you through a wide range of experiences—from the intense heat of battle between soldiers to the heart-wrenching evacuations of families and everyday people.

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