Description
THEY WENT HATLESS (2ND ED.)
Book Summary
This comic gathers five stories inspired by the life and work of Spanish creators who defied social conventions in the first half of the 20th century. Through the figures of painter Maruja Mallo, poets Ernestina de Champourcin and Josefina de la Torre, dancer Tórtola Valencia, and sculptor and illustrator Marga Gil, the work recovers the memory of courageous women who, through their vital and artistic attitude, took off their hats as a symbol of rebellion against repression and ignorance. A graphic and narrative tribute to the pioneers of "sinsombrerismo" (the hatless movement).
What is it about?
The book is structured into five independent graphic stories, each illustrated by a different artist and scripted by Carolina Corvillo. Each story focuses on a Spanish creator who, from disciplines such as painting, poetry, dance, or sculpture, broke with the roles imposed on women of her time. The title refers to the symbolic gesture of Maruja Mallo, Federico García Lorca, Salvador Dalí, and Margarita Manso when they took off their hats in public, an act for which they were insulted and pelted with stones. The work connects that historical rebellion with today's challenges, showing how those exceptions became the rule for new generations, even though the ghosts of repression remain in other forms.
Main themes
- The "sinsombrerismo" movement as a vital attitude and symbol of creative rebellion against social repression.
- Increasing the visibility of Spanish female artists from the first half of the 20th century and their cultural legacy.
- The struggle for gender equality in the artistic and intellectual spheres.
- Historical memory and the recovery of female figures silenced by the official canon.
- The relationship between artistic creation and individual freedom in the face of social conventions.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in graphic novels with historical and activist content, especially those seeking to learn about the role of women in 20th-century Spanish culture. Also for those who appreciate comics as a vehicle for memory and social reflection, as well as for students and teachers of art, literature, or gender studies who desire a visual and accessible approach to these figures.
What this book offers
- A graphic and emotional approach to five essential creators of Spanish culture who are often forgotten.
- A reflection on the relevance of the "sinsombrerismo" movement as an attitude of resistance against censorship and inequality.
- The opportunity to discover or rediscover Maruja Mallo, Ernestina de Champourcin, Josefina de la Torre, Tórtola Valencia, and Marga Gil through a contemporary visual language.
- Five distinct illustration styles that enrich the narrative and aesthetic experience.
- A bridge between the historical struggle for female creative freedom and current debates on equality and representation.
Technical specifications
- Author: CORVILLO, CAROLINA; DEL POZO, JEN; F., NOELIA; GALA, IRENE; HIRO
- Publisher: PONENT MON COMICS
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: GRAPHIC NOVELS: TRUE STORIES AND NON-FICTION, COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS
- Collection: PONENT MON
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: March 2023
- Number of pages: 104
- Weight: 850 g
Editorial review
This second edition solidifies a graphic project that combines historical rigor with artistic sensibility. The work stands out for its ability to make fundamental female figures of Spanish culture accessible, offering a reading that is simultaneously entertaining, educational, and engaged. The diversity of illustration styles and the coherence of the script make it an attractive proposal both for comic book fans and for those seeking a visual introduction to the history of women in art and literature. A necessary title for any library interested in cultural memory and gender equality.