A major exhibition that reexamines the acclaimed painter El Greco's work, focusing on his connection to the monastery of Santo Domingo el Antiguo. This event showcases key pieces and their influence on art.
The Museo del Prado presents Changing Forms: Myth and Metamorphosis in the Roman Drawings of José de Madrazo, an exhibition featuring a remarkable set of drawings and portraits that explore the fascination of José de Madrazo (1781–1859)—a native of Santander and first artistic director of the institution—with mythological metamorphoses, a theme that allowed him to ponder the notion of transformation in both art and life. The show transports visitors to a pivotal moment in European history, the final years of Napoleon’s imperial expansion, when Madrazo, like many other artists, was struggling to strike a balance between tradition and modernity. This exhibition is on view from March 10 to June 22, 2025, in Room 60 of the Villanueva Building at the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid.
This remarkable masterpiece is generously loaned from the Norton Simon Museum and is celebrated as a pivotal example of still life in the history of European art.
This exhibition is dedicated to Cornelis van der Geest and his influence on the Prado collection and the artistic context of his time. It presents significant works and insights into his legacy. The collection, featuring works from the Flemish painter Willem van Haecht, will be temporarily displayed in the Central Gallery of the Museo Nacional del Prado (Room 28) to celebrate the artistic richness of Flanders and its patronage by the Spanish royal family. After being showcased in the 'Rare and Indispensable' exhibition, which explored masterpieces from Flemish collections at the Museum aan de Stroom, the most eloquent example known of collectors' cabinets will be available for viewing at the Prado until the completion of the architectural rehabilitation works at its original museum.
The Museo Nacional del Prado, home to the world’s largest and most important collection of works by Rubens, will, from now until 2026, host The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew, a masterpiece from the artist’s final years, thanks to the generosity of Fundación Carlos de Amberes. The painting is displayed in Room 16 B of the Villanueva Building along with its original frame, created during the same period Rubens was involved in the decorative programme of the Torre de la Parada.
Following the enthusiastic response to 'The Female Perspective' thematic journey from December 2022 to April 2023, which set a precedent for other museums and collections, the Museo del Prado proudly presents a second edition. This exhibition celebrates the vital contributions of various women from European royal dynasties who played significant roles in expanding the ancient Spanish royal collection, now represented in today’s Museum. This edition focuses on new female art patrons spanning the period from Elizabeth of Bourbon to Maria Anna of Neuburg, between 1602 and 1700. A notable figure here is Queen Christina of Sweden, whose collecting efforts have led to one of the largest assemblages of classical sculptures in the Museo Nacional del Prado, along with important artworks such as Dürer’s Adam and Eve panels. To underscore the Museum's commitment to highlighting women's roles in art, a book accompanying the thematic route, alongside various multimedia features and an ambitious program of events—including guided tours, educational materials, and performances—will be offered. This initiative aligns with similar efforts by other institutions to present a more inclusive historical narrative, turning the spotlight on women as central figures in the art world.
This exhibition, supported by Fundacón AXA, concludes a significant project dedicated to the analysis and reevaluation of the Museo del Prado's collection of Venetian Renaissance paintings, which is regarded as one of the most remarkable in the world. This project follows previous exhibitions such as The Bassanos in Golden Age Spain (2001), Titian (2003), Tintoretto (2007), and Lorenzo Lotto: Portraits (2018). The exhibition emphasizes the vital role of Veronese within the museum's collection, particularly concerning his influence in Spain during the Golden Age, a period when his works were greatly admired by monarchs and collectors. The exhibition will explore three crucial themes: Veronese's creative process and studio management, detailed through an analysis of his pieces from initial sketches to finished oil paintings created in his workshop; his exceptional skill as a capobotega, which even surpassed that of prominent contemporary masters like Titian and Tintoretto; and his talent for embodying the aspirations of Venetian elites through his cosmopolitan style, which captivated European royal courts.
The Virgin of Guadalupe's image was widely spread from what was once known as New Spain between 1650 and 1790, evolving into a vital religious symbol across Spain, Italy, the Philippines, and Latin America. Revered as miraculous, its beauty and artistry were seen as manifestations of divine approval towards the inhabitants of New Spain. This devotional sculpture became the most replicated and imitated work by local artists, connected to the concept of a 'revelatory icon.' The exhibition examines its spread in Spain, the factors that fueled this devotional cult during the Early Modern period, the connection between the Virgin of Guadalupe in Extremadura and her Mexican counterpart, and the contribution of artists to their distribution. Featuring around 70 works predominantly from Spain and Mexico, it includes engraved representations of the Virgin from Madrid and Seville.
Juan Muñoz was an artist who engaged in a continuous dialogue with art history, drawing inspiration from various epochs, especially the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Growing up in Madrid, the Museo del Prado became one of his main sources of motivation. His artwork, influenced by artists from Parmigianino to Goya, emphasizes theatricality, illusionism, and architecture as vital means of expression. During his stay in Rome, he absorbed influences from Borromini, Bernini, and Piranesi. His deep connection with Velázquez and Goya was crucial in his portrayal of figures with dwarfism, and his fascination with fleeting moments evokes the spirit of Velázquez. Like Goya, Muñoz navigated the intricate boundary between humor and violence. His body of work invites reflection on viewer perception and the relationship between stillness and movement.
This monographic exhibition dedicated to the painter Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779), exclusively sponsored by the Fundación BBVA, will be the most significant to date. It will showcase approximately 150 high-quality works, primarily from the Museo del Prado and Patrimonio Nacional, supplemented by international loans. The exhibition will include watercolors, pastels, drawings, oils, and the fresco 'Jupiter and Ganymede', as well as sculptures, medals, and manuscripts. It aims to provide a comprehensive view of Mengs, his models, and influences, highlighting his connection to great masters like Raphael, Correggio, and Pompeo Batoni.