Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Art Business
Abstract
This dissertation aims to look at the impact of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship (1939-1975) on the art market for Spanish artists. By segmenting the research in two parts, one on the internal market and the other on the external market, the dissertation wants to determine how and the extent to which Francisco Franco’s dictatorship and state policies shape the domestic and foreign art market for Spanish artists? The study argues that, within the domestic market, the gradual political shift of the regime has permitted a slow progress towards internationalization. Whilst the domestic market experienced a limited productivity, some international Spanish artists achieved economic and representational success thanks to networks of dealers, collectors and institutions. The findings reveal that the reasons of this reality for the Spanish art market comes from a mix of both Franco’s regime’s decisions, acting as exogenous factors, but also organic market mechanisms and endogenous factors. Moreover, it can be inferred that, paradoxically, Franco’s dictatorship indirectly contributed to the global establishment of prominent Spanish artists abroad by creating a domestic environment that compelled artists and dealers to seek external markets.
Recommended Citation
Ruiz-Picasso, Georges, "The Impact of Francisco Franco’s Dictatorship on the Art Market for Spanish Artists: How did Francisco Franco’s Dictatorship and State Policy Shape the Domestic and Foreign Art Market for Spanish Artists?" (2026). MA in Art Business Dissertations. 24.
https://digitalcommons.sia.edu/ma_art_bus/24