Accidental art: visual analysis of landscape panoramas created for the Spanish Civil War

Abstract

Following the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the territory was divided into sectors controlled by the opposing factions. Within a few days, frontlines were drawn across the country, establishing new borders, some of which remained stable for extended periods. This situation led, for military reasons, to the landscape becoming an object of study from both sides. The present article examines scenes derived from such observation, represented through a rigorous methodology aimed at recording the visual information of the combat territory as support for strategic decision-making. This process generated a set of graphic documents of remarkable aesthetic value. The conclusions drawn from a close examination of these materials support the thesis that technical rigor and discipline in the creative process unintentionally lead to results that are both compelling and evocative. These records may be considered manifestations of accidental art. Furthermore, panoramic views obtained through different graphic tools are compared, assessing the scope of each. The synthetic role of hand drawing is contrasted with the comprehensive function of photography—two very different techniques that complemented each other to provide a more complete visual representation of the same territory.