The first exhibition from Madrid's esteemed Museo Nacional del Prado to be presented in the Southern Hemisphere will open at the Queensland Art Gallery tomorrow.
Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Director Tony Ellwood said 'Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado', on display from 21 July to November 4, would include 100 works, many of which had never before left Europe.
'The exhibition features masterpieces painted between 1550 and 1900 by revered Spanish artists Velázquez, Ribera, Murillo and Goya, as well as artists who worked in Spain and directly influenced the development of painting in the country, such as Titian, Rubens, Tiepolo and Mengs,' Mr Ellwood said.
'It draws on the Prado's rich holdings and includes magnificent royal portraits, large scale history paintings, religious pictures, mythological paintings and intimate still life paintings.
'Also included are landscapes and nudes from the mid-nineteenth century, by major artists such as Federico de Madrazo, Eduardo Rosales, Mariano Fortuny, Aureliano de Beruete and Joaquín Sorolla reflecting the emergence of modern Spain.
'This is the largest collection of works the Prado has ever loaned and we are privileged to be the host gallery for an exhibition of this calibre.'
Mr Ellwood said some of the works in the exhibition had never been lent to another gallery by the Prado, including Antonio de Pereda's Relief of Genoa, which is the largest framed artwork to ever travel to Australia.
'We are fortunate to have three major paintings by Velázquez, including the magnificent Mars, a highlight of the Prado's holdings from Spain's Golden Age,' he said.
'A selection of over 20 works from three suites of etchings by Goya – Los Caprichos, The Disasters of War and Los Disparates – provides a fascinating insight into some of Spain's most dark and tumultuous years. Among these is a rare first edition bound volume of The Disasters of War.
'These images show why Goya is regarded as one of the first truly modern artists. In them, Goya gives free reign to his private imaginative world, one shaped as much by fear and superstition as by the ideals of the Enlightenment. 'Portrait of Spain' also includes three major paintings by Goya which have never before been seen in Australia.'
Mr Ellwood said 'Portrait of Spain' would be complemented by a 304-page exhibition catalogue featuring major essays by Gabriele Finaldi, Deputy Director of the Museo del Prado and exhibition curator Javier Portús, Chief Curator of Spanish Painting to 1700 at the Prado, as well as full colour plates and detailed entries on every artwork in the show.
'There is also a dedicated 'Portrait of Spain for Kids' publication for younger readers; a Friday night Up Late series featuring live music from August 31 to November 2; ongoing public programs and talks; and two film programs in the GOMA Cinema, 100 Years of Spanish Cinema and a ticketed retrospective on the work of acclaimed director Pedro Almodóvar.
'The experience of the exhibition will be further enhanced by La Sala del Prado, a large-scale lounge and café space reflecting the vibrancy of Spanish history and contemporary design, food and culture,' he said.
'La Sala del Prado will offer visitors drawing activities, interactive games, a multimedia timeline and an ongoing program of events to complement the exhibition.'
'Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado' is exclusive to the Queensland Art Gallery and will run from July 21 to November 4, 2012.
This exhibition has been organised by Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid in association with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art and Art Exhibitions Australia. It is presented by Events Queensland and the Queensland Government and the Principal Sponsor is ACCIONA.
The exhibition is supported by the Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance (AGIEI) Program. |
