The journey began in 1946 when a 23-year-old artist stepped into the broader world of art, a path that would span until 1981, four years before his passing. This arc, nearly the entirety of his creative career, was documented by Eusebio Sempere (1923-1985) as a continuous record from 1923 to 1985. Six albums evolved into a set of artistic diaries, each enriched by press clippings, catalogs, documents, invitations, and posters that chronicled his exhibitions across the years.
These six books form part of the Sempere fonds, now held by the Mediterranean Foundation thanks to the generosity of Abel Martín. He initiated the restoration and digitization work to place these materials within reach of scholars during the Year of Sempere, which marks the centenary of the Onil-born artist.
The ongoing studies, projected over roughly four months, aim to preserve and disseminate the artist’s personal testimonies. Sempere is acknowledged as a leading figure in kinetic art within Spain.
In this project, the figure of Sempere is examined from a fresh angle, not only through his artwork but also through his chosen personal documents. These records reveal not only his career milestones but also the art world of his time and the way Spanish art was perceived abroad.
restoration process
Restoring albums is essential for long term preservation of these unique pieces. Paper is sensitive to wear and age, suffering from surface scratches, creases, and general deterioration. The foundation partnered with dedicated experts to implement a minimally invasive restoration process that preserves the albums in their original essence.
The digitization of the collection follows a careful, methodical approach to safeguard the integrity and quality of every item. When complete, the archive descriptions of all documentary units will be accessible in the Mediterranean Foundation Documentary Archive, inviting researchers, students, and art lovers to explore this priceless treasure.
The initiative seeks not only to conserve history and culture but also to broaden knowledge about Eusebio Sempere, a pioneer in blending art and technology and his influence on Spanish art and its international reception.
Carmen Velasco, who leads Art and Documentary Heritage at the Akdeniz Foundation, notes that this project invites art and history enthusiasts to explore Sempere’s rich legacy through his personal and artistic archive, which will soon be openly accessible on our website.
Albums
The collection comprises around a thousand documents spread across six albums. The first album covers 1946 to 1956 and includes 215 entries, such as catalogs from important shows like Sala Mateu in 1949 and the group exhibition featuring Lolo Soldevilla in Valencia, along with exhibitions at the College of Spain in Paris and Salones de Réalités Nouvelles in 1950 and 1956.
Album two gathers materials from 1955 to 1961, totaling about 220 entries. Notable items include notes on Sempere by Aguilera Cerni, published in Arte Vivo in January 1959.
Album three, spanning 1960 to 1966, contains 620 records that attract attention through Juana Mordo Gallery in 1965, the São Paulo and Venice biennials, design and fashion magazines of the era, and press clippings documenting key cultural moments in the artist’s life. It also covers the decoration for El Corte Inglés shop windows in 1963 under the title useless machines.
The fourth album, covering 1966 to 1969, comprises 420 documents along with programs and press clippings. The fifth album, 1968 to 1975, holds around 1,000 items, and the sixth, 1975 to 1981, contains about 320 entries. Newspaper coverage in INFORMACIÓN reported Sempere’s donation to the city of Alicante and the opening of the museum that would house the collection.
Luis Boyer, President of the Mediterranean Foundation, states that the centennial celebration continues with a new project to restore and digitize the artist’s personal and artistic albums. He adds that publishing the correspondence and digitizing photo albums are also part of the Year of Sempere initiatives.
Photo archive containing more than 200 images and 543 letters. Sempere’s six personal albums are not the only treasures valued by the foundation. The Mediterranean Foundation also guards a photo archive and letters that are part of this documentary recovery effort.
The Onil artist’s photography collection includes more than two hundred images, offering a visual record of his life, work, and professional and personal connections. Digitizing and archiving this collection provides a vivid look at moments from childhood in Onil to education in Valencia, years in Paris, and establishment in Spain. The photographs capture moments with family, friends, fellow artists, intellectuals, and even Moorish attire at events, giving a unique perspective on his life and work. The restoration process has already begun.
Another notable part of the fonds is the letter collection, which contains 543 records catalogued for access. This bundle includes not only letters but postcards and telegrams. These letters offer an intimate view of the artist’s personal and professional world, revealing emotional ties with friends and family as well as artistic collaborations and time in the art scene. The collection includes correspondence with Alfons Roig, Chillida, and Aguilera Cerni among others. The project aims to publish and illuminate the depth of these documents, enriching the understanding of Sempere’s life, influences, and connections to the art world.