Plans and drawings by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in archival holdings: analysis and interpretation
<p>The important legacy of the architect Leopoldo Torres Balbás (Madrid, 1888-1960) has been extensively studied in all the fields in which he excelled. However, according to his own words, expressed in an article signed under a pseudonym in 1920, he lacked skills as a draftsman. Whether this...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of L'Aquila
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Disegnare con |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://disegnarecon.univaq.it/ojs/index.php/disegnarecon/article/view/1367 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849390924092669952 |
|---|---|
| author | Vincenzina La Spina Pedro Miguel Jimenez Vicario |
| author_facet | Vincenzina La Spina Pedro Miguel Jimenez Vicario |
| author_sort | Vincenzina La Spina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>The important legacy of the architect Leopoldo Torres Balbás (Madrid, 1888-1960) has been extensively studied in all the fields in which he excelled. However, according to his own words, expressed in an article signed under a pseudonym in 1920, he lacked skills as a draftsman. Whether this claim is true or not, understanding how Torres Balbás approached drawing, identifying his assistants and collaborators, and examining what distinguishes the plans created under his guidance and what he drew, are the key objectives of this article. These will help us explore his role as a draftsman through an analysis of the archival materials that have been preserved. They are distributed among various Spanish archives, which hold original documents by or belonging to Torres Balbás. However, their authorship is not always clearly indicated, as with some of the graphic materials accompanying his publications, which make up a bibliography of over 300 scientific works. Therefore, methodologically, after searching for documentary sources, selecting the principal graphic documents, and comparing them with the drawings illustrating his articles, it has been possible to determine their author¬ship and subsequently analyse and systematise the vast graphic material preserved by the architect. Finally, the research carried out has been possible, first, to gain a deeper understanding of Torres Balbás’s figure and his real skills in graphic matters; second, to identify the key figures that helped and collaborated with him: draftsmen, architects, students, etc.; and third, to uncover his actual relationship with drawing.</p><p>DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.34.2025.20</p> |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a863fa75ba534630902ef2722c3d6712 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1828-5961 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | University of L'Aquila |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Disegnare con |
| spelling | doaj-art-a863fa75ba534630902ef2722c3d67122025-08-20T03:41:15ZengUniversity of L'AquilaDisegnare con1828-59612025-07-011834120537Plans and drawings by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in archival holdings: analysis and interpretationVincenzina La Spina0Pedro Miguel Jimenez VicarioUniversidad Politécnica de Cartagena<p>The important legacy of the architect Leopoldo Torres Balbás (Madrid, 1888-1960) has been extensively studied in all the fields in which he excelled. However, according to his own words, expressed in an article signed under a pseudonym in 1920, he lacked skills as a draftsman. Whether this claim is true or not, understanding how Torres Balbás approached drawing, identifying his assistants and collaborators, and examining what distinguishes the plans created under his guidance and what he drew, are the key objectives of this article. These will help us explore his role as a draftsman through an analysis of the archival materials that have been preserved. They are distributed among various Spanish archives, which hold original documents by or belonging to Torres Balbás. However, their authorship is not always clearly indicated, as with some of the graphic materials accompanying his publications, which make up a bibliography of over 300 scientific works. Therefore, methodologically, after searching for documentary sources, selecting the principal graphic documents, and comparing them with the drawings illustrating his articles, it has been possible to determine their author¬ship and subsequently analyse and systematise the vast graphic material preserved by the architect. Finally, the research carried out has been possible, first, to gain a deeper understanding of Torres Balbás’s figure and his real skills in graphic matters; second, to identify the key figures that helped and collaborated with him: draftsmen, architects, students, etc.; and third, to uncover his actual relationship with drawing.</p><p>DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.34.2025.20</p>https://disegnarecon.univaq.it/ojs/index.php/disegnarecon/article/view/1367archivesdrawingsplanshandwritten notesleopoldo torres balbás |
| spellingShingle | Vincenzina La Spina Pedro Miguel Jimenez Vicario Plans and drawings by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in archival holdings: analysis and interpretation Disegnare con archives drawings plans handwritten notes leopoldo torres balbás |
| title | Plans and drawings by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in archival holdings: analysis and interpretation |
| title_full | Plans and drawings by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in archival holdings: analysis and interpretation |
| title_fullStr | Plans and drawings by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in archival holdings: analysis and interpretation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plans and drawings by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in archival holdings: analysis and interpretation |
| title_short | Plans and drawings by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in archival holdings: analysis and interpretation |
| title_sort | plans and drawings by leopoldo torres balbas in archival holdings analysis and interpretation |
| topic | archives drawings plans handwritten notes leopoldo torres balbás |
| url | https://disegnarecon.univaq.it/ojs/index.php/disegnarecon/article/view/1367 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vincenzinalaspina plansanddrawingsbyleopoldotorresbalbasinarchivalholdingsanalysisandinterpretation AT pedromigueljimenezvicario plansanddrawingsbyleopoldotorresbalbasinarchivalholdingsanalysisandinterpretation |