Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828), Two Groups of Picadors Overrun Consecutively by a Single Bull, 1814-16. Red chalk and red-ink wash on laid paper. Hamburger Kunsthalle, Kupferstichkabinett (38541). Photo by Christoph Irrgang
This weekend, “Spanish Gesture: Drawings from Murillo to Goya in the Hamburger Kunsthalle,” an exhibition of drawings by 16th-19th century Spanish master artists, makes its debut at the Meadows Museum.
The exhibit features 86 pen, ink and brush drawings, the majority of which depict biblical characters or contemporary men, woman and children. Museum curators say that a collection of Spanish drawings (rather than paintings) on this scale has never been displayed publicly outside of Germany.
The Meadows Museum, located just southwest of Lake Highlands near SMU, houses one of the most comprehensive collection of Spanish artwork outside of Spain. This exhibit furthers the Meadows’ initiative to build upon the scholarly research of Spanish art — which has only been enhanced by Meadows’ partnership with Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid.
Since partnering with Museo del Prado five years ago (Prado fittingly, translates to “meadow” in English,) the museums have showcased five art exhibitions together. As a result, some art scholars have given our Dallas museum the moniker, “The Prado in the Prairie.” However, this is the first time Meadows has worked with the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
Media guests invited to preview the exhibit earlier this week were told by curators that the exhibit will be the first of “many more exhibitions that will be hosted with our colleagues in Germany.”
“The Spanish Gesture,” will be available to the public beginning this Sunday through Aug. 31, when it will then be moved to the Museo Nacional del Prado for display. The Meadows Museum is the only U.S. venue to host the collection. Click here for museum visitor information.
