Motherwell and Frankenthaler sail for Spain on June 13 to celebrate their honeymoon. Because of the Franco government Motherwell had resisted visiting the country, but Frankenthaler insisted upon his need to see the paintings in the Prado and in the caves at Altamira.
Their first week is spent touring Granada, Cordoba, and Seville, before heading to Madrid for several days. In Madrid, Motherwell is informed that the Spanish government is refusing to allow his Elegy to the Spanish Republic XXXV (P168) to be exhibited in The New American Painting exhibition, and that they will relent only if the title is changed. Motherwell refuses and the U.S. Embassy informs him that he has been declared persona non grata by the authorities, and suggests that he leave the country immediately.
