20010406Homage of the University of Navarra to Concepción García Gaínza for her 25 years as Professor of Art History

The School of Philosophy and Letters of the University of Navarra paid tribute to its professor Concepción García Gaínza, on the occasion of her 25 years as Professor of History of Art. In addition to the nearly 200 attendees at the academic event, several personalities, such as the Prince of Asturias, read their testimonies. Don Felipe de Borbón said in his message to join "this well-deserved tribute that is paid to her and that comes to recognize her long dedication to the research, as well as her submission to the teaching". The heir to the Crown concludes his words by "recalling with true pleasure that meeting in the Monastery of Leyre last year when he was awarded the award Príncipe de Viana 2000".

The speakers at the classroom Magna highlighted different aspects of the honored professor: her human qualities, her work professor and research, the creation of a group of disciples who follow her work in different Spanish universities and her contribution to knowledge, reflected in the Monumental Catalog of Navarra.

Clara Fernández-Ladreda, a colleague of work for 20 years at department of Art at the University of Navarra, referred to a lesson learned from Professor García Gaínza: "Knowing how to see beyond appearances, trying to get to the bottom of things, something that is extremely unusual in a social context in which appearance, which usually covers up the truth, is imposed everywhere". He also highlighted other qualities of the honoree: hard work, tenacity, fortitude, equanimity and discretion.

Master of Art Historians

For her part, Soledad Silva, from the University of the Basque Country, emphasized that the professor "has been able to create in her environment an authentic school of disciples whom she has initiated in the tasks of research. Under her direction, more than 25 doctoral thesis have been carried out, all of them published and which constitute as many scientific contributions in the most diverse fields of historical-artistic knowledge: programs of study on architecture, altarpieces and imagery in sculpture, polychromy, painting, miniature, goldsmithing, photography, artistic patronage, the world of museums or the field of art criticism.... Behind each work has been forged a specialist, an expert. Today we are already a good group disciples, several of us professors and tenured, we are in various universities, trying to imitate his example.

Jesús Rivas Carmona, Full Professor of Art History at the University of Murcia, then described Professor García Gaínza as mater et magistra [mother and teacher]. "As a former student of hers," he said, "I can't help but remember truly masterful classes in all aspects. Even some especially unforgettable ones, such as the one on the Renaissance sculptor Donatello or the Baroque Bernini." He also praised the important work of research developed and the university sense that has permeated his entire life to finish saying: "Doña Concepción is, simply, my teacher; and as such I prefer to see her. I feel great pride in the recognition of this teaching, since my own university degree program owes much to her in every way".

 

Sensitivity and Education aesthetics

The director of the Museum of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, Antonio Bonet Correa, reviewed the vicissitudes of the teaching of the history of art in Spain. He described the professor of the University of Navarra as a pioneer and, after praising her research work, said: "Her academic and research biography and as the leader of a department is due to her intelligence and good nature. Also to his prudence and kindness. A liberal person, but at the same time restrained; sure of his ideas, but tolerant of the ideas of others; open-minded to novelties, but respectful of tradition; he is a balanced and serene person who admits those who have different positions and even antagonistic to his own".

Antonio Bonet added that, "invariably willing to serve her fellow men," the professor "spares no effort when it comes to helping those who ask her to do so. To all this we must add an indispensable quality in those who are dedicated to the study and analysis of the History of Art. I am referring to sensitivity and Education aesthetics. Concha García Gaínza is endowed with a fine perception of artistic beauty and intellectual balance inherited from the classical world. The University of Navarra can be satisfied to have such an eminent professor in its faculty".

The honored professor expressed her gratitude for the many and qualified expressions of affection that were expressed during the tribute: "I believe I have no other merits than that of being a university student who enters class every day with the illusion of showing a new topic to her students. And she does it considering that it may be a unique opportunity for them to hear about Donatello or Velázquez, to communicate the depth or the meaning of art, opening the way to their interests and even provoking them to be restless and creative. But also a university student who feels it is a privilege to have an assured audience of young people every day to be able to communicate their ideas and concerns".

The professor recalled her time at the Universities of Seville and Murcia, where she found disciples interested in art, today colleagues and friends. Once in Pamplona, "at the University of Navarra I have had and continue to have the right environment to develop the various facets of being a university student; I have had the support to develop those projects of research that I thought were opportune and convenient, enjoying total freedom in them; I have also found the right spirit to develop ideas; I have received the encouragement and esteem of successive rectors for my work. And, finally, the University of Navarra has given me the field to cultivate and train my dear Navarrese and non-Navarrese, Chilean, Ecuadorian and Taiwanese disciples. For all these things that summary my university life during these 25 years I want to thank the University of Navarra, its President and its Chancellor [Bishop Javier Echevarría] for the trust placed in me during these years".

Acknowledgments and endorsements

During the academic ceremony, the professor was presented with a book, a compilation of all her scattered work, prepared by professors from department de Arte. Finally, the President, José Mª Bastero, emphasized that "Professor García Gaínza's career at the University of Navarra is a living testimony that it is possible to reconcile an excellent research task, whose results have always been characterized by their rigor, with a teaching of the highest level, capable of leaving the characteristic mark of a fruitful teaching in several generations of students. It is no secret that this achievement is due to a tenacious and self-sacrificing dedication, and to the enterprising spirit of someone who has never transferred the responsibility of his duties and has always displayed great initiative".

The tribute to this professor was attended by attendance of numerous students who have passed through the classrooms of this university over the years, as well as colleagues from academic staff and authorities such as the delegate of the Government, José Carlos Iribas; the Councilors of Culture and Environment of the Regional Government, Jesús Laguna and Javier Marcotegui, respectively; the Mayoress of Pamplona, Yolanda Barcina; the director general of Universities and Linguistic Policy, Pedro Pejenaute; the director of the Institución Príncipe de Viana, Juan Ramón Corpas, or the director of the Diocesan Museum, Jesús Omeñaca.

In addition, during the ceremony, Professor Asunción Domeño reviewed a long list of endorsements sent on the occasion of the tribute. It is worth mentioning those of the Secretaries of State for Culture, Universities and Relations with Parliament, Luis Alberto de Cuenca, Julio Iglesias and Jorge Fernández Díaz, respectively; the President of the Government of Navarra, Miguel Sanz; the President of the committee of Administration of the National Heritage, the Duke of San Carlos; the Archbishop of Pamplona, Mons. Fernando Sebastián; the board Board of Directors of the Society of programs of study Historicals of Navarra; and the President of the Ateneo Navarro, Emilio Echavarren, among others.