The Museum of Mallorca becomes the center of cultural attention with the arrival of a notable work by Jan Brueghel the Elder, as part of the initiative “Art that Connects,” developed by the Prado Museum and Telefónica. The piece, titled “Sight and Smell,” is currently on display and can be admired by the public until November 10, 2024.
This work, along with another one called “Touch, Hearing and Taste,” are reproductions of the original paintings that had been commissioned to Jan Brueghel the Elder by Archdukes Albert and Isabella Clara Eugenia, and that, unfortunately, were lost in the fire of the Brussels Palace in 1731. Created in collaboration with various painters of his time in Antwerp, this set is essential to revive the essence of the lost originals, reflecting the sophistication and allegorical symbolism associated with such commissions.
The design of the work shares a close connection with a previous series, made by Brueghel the Elder and Rubens in 1618 for the Alcázar of Madrid. In both series, the five senses were represented through female figures surrounded by an abundance of works of art, including tapestries, musical instruments, and sculptures. However, while the original series portrays each sense individually, this new interpretation combines them on the same canvas, offering a unified perspective rich in artistic details.
The exhibition in Mallorca is part of an ambitious project that coincides with the centenary of Telefónica. Under the premise of connecting people through art, the program will allow works by masters such as Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, and Murillo to be presented in 18 locations throughout Spain, promoting culture and artistic activity beyond the walls of the Prado.
This effort continues the mission of the Prado Museum to approach the public, a strategy that reached a milestone during the museum’s Bicentennial in 2019 through the program “On Tour in Spain.” In this initiative, the national gallery achieved a notable presence in almost forty cities. Additionally, other initiatives such as traveling exhibitions and “The Prado on the Streets” contribute to democratizing access to art, displaying photographic images of its collections in different public spaces throughout the country.
With this proposal, the aim is not only to showcase the richness of cultural heritage but also to foster a continuous dialogue between communities and art, strengthening the cultural fabric of each region.
via: MiMub in Spanish
