An exhibition of 100 masterpieces from Spain’s Prado Museum opened Sunday at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, or MFAH, giving visitors a look at the evolution of Spanish painting from the 16th century to the 19th century.
The “Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado” exhibition, which is being sponsored by BBVA Compass and the BBVA Compass Foundation, brought works by Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, El Greco, Zurbaran, Fortuny and Sorolla, among other greats of Spanish painting, to Houston from Brisbane, Australia, where it premiered at the Queensland Art Gallery.
The exhibition also includes works by foreign artists, such as Rubens, Tiepolo and Titian, who were employed by the Spanish Court.
The show, which runs until March 31, 2013, is divided into three periods: 1550-1770, 1770-1850 and 1850-1900.
Among the 79 oil paintings and 22 etchings on display at MFAH are Francisco Zurbaran’s “Agnus Dei,” Alonso Sanchez Coello’s “La Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia,” Diego Velazquez’s “Rey Felipe IV” and Francisco de Goya’s “El infante Don Francisco de Paula.”
A Spanish festival is being held Sunday afternoon to give art lovers a taste of Spanish culture.
“Enjoy samples of Spanish delights: tapas, wine, bread, and other delicacies. This daytime party also features dancers from Solero Flamenco; a Spanish guitarist; and festive Spanish decor,” the MFAH said on its Web site.
