The excitement at CaixaForum Palma was palpable during the opening of the exhibition “XIX. The Century of Portrait. Collections of the Prado Museum. From Enlightenment to modernity”. This event has been made possible thanks to the fruitful collaboration between the ”la Caixa” Foundation and the National Prado Museum, a partnership that has been strengthening since 2011 with the aim of bringing the exceptional artistic heritage of the famous museum closer to the public.
The exhibition is a first for Palma, where works from the Prado Museum are being displayed for the first time, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate the development of portrait in Spain during the 19th century. This artistic display will be held until March 2, after captivating almost 200,000 people in other CaixaForum venues in Barcelona, Zaragoza, Seville, and Valencia.
Presented by Margarita Pérez-Villegas, director of CaixaForum Palma, and Javier Barón, curator of the exhibition and head of Conservation of 19th Century Painting at the Prado Museum, the exhibition brings together 145 masterpieces by renowned artists such as Goya, Madrazo, Rosales, Pinazo, Sorolla, Fortuny, and Benlliure. These pieces offer a detailed insight into how public image evolved in a century that transformed the social and economic landscape, shaping many aspects of the present day.
Organized into eight thematic areas, the exhibition immerses visitors in various facets of 19th-century portrait. From the representation of power to personal identities, the portraits explore childhood, gender identities, death, and the profiles of artists and cultural figures. Attendees can enjoy a personalized experience through three different itineraries, offering a deeper understanding of the artistic, social, and fashion context of the time, accessible through downloadable audio guides via QR codes.
This cultural event not only offers a window to the past through the lens of portraiture but also encourages a contemporary dialogue between the works and the visitors. The exhibition invites reflection on current relevant issues, demonstrating how art can transcend time and remain relevant throughout the centuries.
via: MiMub in Spanish
