Spanish Masters Visit South East Queensland

Showing at Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) at the moment is the ‘Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado’ exhibit. With over 100 works on loan from the Museo Nacional del Prado, this is the first time that these works have been on exhibit in the southern hemisphere, granting an excellent opportunity for visitors to view works illustrating the history and development of painting in Spain for over three centuries, works by such artists as Francisco de Goya, Peter Paul Rubens, Federico de Madrazo, and Antonio de Pereda. The exhibit was accompanied by a soft, Spanish-inspired, musical overlay, which may seem a bit cheesy when mentioned but actually faded calmly into the background, complementing the exhibit.  

Upon entering the exhibit I was immediately awed by the immensity of the history contained within and the technical finesse and expertise displayed in the works. Quite often, the pieces dwarf the viewer, especially in the case of Relief of Genoa by the Marquis of Santa Cruz by Antonio de Pereda, standing almost three meters tall and over three and a half meters wide. This, in particular, was a stunning piece to observe, not only with its representation of such a significant event in Spanish history, but also for the amount of detail present in the artwork, not uncommon with the majority of the works, with even the fine detail of the lace being worn by the central figures being exquisitely rendered. 

Progressing through the exhibit, I noticed the particular organisation of the works; separated into different rooms, mostly by subject matter, and found it easy to get either submersed or alienated by the different subjects, there was only so much religious iconography and narrative that I could absorb before becoming slightly disinterested, despite the beauty of the works. I was particularly absorbed however by the display of a collection of prints by de Goya, presented in a darker setting than the rest of the exhibit, reflecting the nature and mood of the, sometimes grotesque or disturbing, imagery of the prints.

Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado is running until November 4th so get in while you have a chance since, as a whole, this exhibit offers a unique insight into the culture of the Spanish people throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth century, but resonated particularly with me in respect to the skill and expertise present in all the works present. I believe this is an excellent example of an exhibit even those of the “I don’t know art but I know what I like.” persuasion can appreciate.

 

For information on this and other exhibits at QAG visit http://qagoma.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current

Images:

• Queensland Art Gallery
• Antonio de Pereda: 'The relief of Genoa by the second Marquis of Santa Cruz', 1634-35
• Vecellio di Gregorio Tiziano (Titian): 'Christ carrying the Cross' c.1565

Masterpieces from the Prado at the Queensland Art Gallery, n.d., image, viewed 8 October 2012, <http://bagnidilucca.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/masterpieces-from-the-prado-at-the-queensland-art-gallery/>