Emilio Prados, 1899-1962 reconstructs for the first time the biography of a key poet and editor of the Generation ’27. The exhibition was made possible thanks to the Residencia’s archival recovery project that included Emilio Prados’ files as one of its priorities. Moreover, the catalog of the exhibition is also the first comprehensive biography of the writer, and it provides valuable critical reviews of his work.

Emilio Prados Such was born in Malaga in 1899. In 1914, he moved to Madrid to join the Children’s Group of the Residencia de Estudiantes, where he met Juan Ramón Jiménez, who will influence his early inclination towards poetry. He later met the university students at the Residencia and became part of the group that included Moreno Villa, García Lorca, Dalí, Buñuel, Bello, and Vicéns. He visited Switzerland, Germany and Paris and cultivated the cultural avant-garde circles of the 1920s that had a decisive influence on his work. On his return to Malaga he founded, together with Manuel Altolaguirre, the journal Sur and the printing house Sur that published some of the best titles of the Generation of  '27 poetry.

Prados was an active supporter of the Republican cause during the Civil War and was forced into exile in Mexico in 1939, where he remained until his death on April 24, 1962. He wrote his best books of poetry, Memoria del olvido, Jardín cerrado, and Río natural, during this period.

Francisco Chica is the curator of the exhibition that includes, among other pieces, the first edition of all of Prados’ books, his manuscripts, a wide selection of his work as editor and his correspondence, as well as artwork by artists who collaborated with Litoral, such as Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris, Manuel Ángeles Ortiz, Benjamín Palencia, and Hernando Viñes, among others.

See catalog

EXHIBITION: Emilio Prados, 1899-1962