Intro

In 1981 one of the world’s most iconic works of art – Guernica - was finally handed to Spain after a 44-year exile.

Pablo Picasso had created the huge mural in 1937 followed the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish civil war.

And, after being shown in Paris, the painting went on tour in Europe and America, where it was loaned to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

At the time, Picasso swore the painting would never hang in Spain until the country returned to democracy.

It wasn't until after the death of the dictator General Francisco Franco that discussions began to transfer the painting to Spain. Ambassador Rafael Fernandez-Quintanilla was one of the negotiators.

Jane Wilkinson has been through the BBC archives to find out how Rafael helped end the exile. Additional archive from British Pathe.

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(Photo: Guernica on display in Madrid, 1981. Credit: Gianni Ferrari/Getty Images)