The Prado Museum has taken a significant step in expanding its collection with the addition of the masterpiece by Peter Paul Rubens titled “The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew.” This painting, which can be appreciated in Room 16B of the Villanueva building, will be on display until 2026, coinciding with the restoration works of the Carlos de Amberes Foundation, an institution dedicated to the promotion of culture and European values.
Javier Solana, President of the Royal Board of the National Prado Museum, commented on the significant addition to the collection, highlighting the museum’s commitment to excellence. “The Prado Museum never tires of pursuing excellence…this is the institution that exhibits the most ‘Rubens’ in its rooms, but if there is an opportunity to enrich it and work with another institution like the Carlos de Amberes Foundation to complete the author’s vision, we do so gladly,” he stated.
From the Carlos de Amberes Foundation, its President, Miguel Ángel Aguilar, emphasized that the delivery of “The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew” to the Prado is an act of justice for a work of such relevance, which will now dialogue with other masterpieces by the Flemish artist. The painting, created between 1636 and 1639, is large in size, with dimensions of 306 x 216 cm, and was commissioned by Jan van Vucht, an agent of the Plantin Press in Antwerp, to decorate the high altar of the church of the Royal Hospital of Saint Andrew of the Flemish in Madrid, where it was installed in 1639.
The hospital, founded in 1606, had the mission of hosting the poor and pilgrims from the seventeen provinces of the Netherlands. The church that housed it was rebuilt in 1621, coinciding with the restoration of the sovereignty of these provinces under Philip IV. The inclusion of the feast of Saint Andrew in this church had a special significance, as it was intimately linked to the House of Burgundy and its patron, Saint Andrew.
In “The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew,” Rubens captures a moving moment, inspired by Jacopo de la Vorágine’s “The Golden Legend,” where the apostle expresses his strong desire not to be untied from the cross, as he longs for the arrival of his King, while a heavenly light envelops the scene, creating an aura of mystery and devotion.
The Carlos de Amberes Foundation, established more than four centuries ago as a refuge for the needy, continues to maintain a strong connection with the culture of the Netherlands. Its work includes various activities, such as temporary exhibitions, children’s workshops, and conferences that address the history and future vision of Europe. The collaboration with the Prado Museum for the exhibition of this work adds to its efforts to promote the rich shared culture between Spain and the territories that were part of the former provinces of the Spanish Monarchy.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
