Vertice magazine

Founded in San Sebastián in 1937 by the Press and Propaganda Delegation of the Spanish Traditionalist Falange and of the Councils of the National Syndicalist Offensive (Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS), Vértice magazine is, in the words of historian José Ángel Ascunce, the perfect example of what has been called Francoist culture and a faithful reflection of the so-called press of the Movement.

Vértice was founded with the ambition of being “the great national magazine, the honor and pride of our new Spain,” as its first issue proclaimed. Published monthly, it was a cultural magazine produced with great care, despite the adverse circumstances of the war. The use of exceptionally high-quality paper, meticulous layout, and striking covers made it an almost luxurious product. It featured numerous photographs and illustrations, and even color plates with high-quality reproductions of works by prominent illustrators—not always on war-related subjects—among them Carlos Sáenz de Tejada, Teodoro Delgado, José Caballero, Ángeles Torner, José Romero Escassi, Rosario de Velasco, Pedro Pruna, and Serny.

In addition to the direct collaboration of these and many other artists, who contributed humorous cartoons, fashion sketches, story illustrations, and more, Vértice featured articles on the major cultural events of the time. It covered exhibitions, monuments, and efforts to define an official artistic style that would give visual identity to Franco’s new regime, often grounded in Spain’s own artistic tradition, with particular emphasis on figures such as Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco.

The texts were written by distinguished intellectuals, such as journalist Francisco de Cossío and art critic Manuel Abril, who, incidentally, had been one of the defenders of avant-garde art during the 1920s. In fact, Vértice supported some of the most avant-garde creations produced within Francoist circles, such as the surrealist compositions of José Caballero.

IEG