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Prado exhibits masterpieces of European art in Shanghai
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“AGES of Splendor: A History of Spain in the Museo del Prado,” an exhibition which opened to the public this week at the Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai, marks the largest presentation of the Prado Museum’s collection in China.
The exhibition features 70 masterpieces by 50 renowned artists, including Titian, Veronese, El Greco, Rubens, Zurbaran, Velazquez, Goya, Fortuny and Sorolla, spanning from the 16th to 20th centuries.
Among these, 16 have never been seen outside Spain, and nine have never been borrowed from the museum previously.
The exhibition, running through September 1, is divided into one special “In Focus” section and 10 complimentary themed rooms.
All eyes will be on the “In Focus” area of the Prado’s “Mona Lisa” on the ground floor.
This painting is thought to have been created concurrently with the original “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre by a member of Leonardo da Vinci’s workshop under his direct supervision.
So, the Prado’s “Mona Lisa” is regarded as the most historically significant copy of the original. It is worth noting that this is the first time the work has been borrowed since 2012 when it was loaned to the Louvre.
The painting, which was part of the Spanish royal collection in the 17th century, was transferred to the Prado Museum when it opened in 1819. Since then, it has been on regular display at the museum.
A year before its 2012 loan to the Louvre, the painting was moved from the Prado’s exhibition gallery to its research workshop for restoration and study.
During the procedure, a secret layer of landscape beneath the painting’s black background was discovered.
The “In Focus” section uses a variety of photographs, reproductions and animations to tell the story of the painting’s journey before, during and after its restoration in 2011.
By illuminating the intricate connections between this work and the original at the Louvre, this section provides viewers with an opportunity to obtain a greater understanding of one of art history’s most significant works.
The 10 complimentary themed rooms on the third floor are primarily organized chronologically, beginning with Charles V’s reign in the 16th century and ending with the dawn of the 20th century.
They introduce viewers to Spain’s social, political and historical evolutions over nearly 500 years, focusing on many facets of Spanish civilization such as royal court celebrations, dynasties and regimes, mythology, spiritual beliefs, and public life in general.
There is also a strong emphasis on the evolution of specific genres, such as mythology, buffoonery, still life and religious painting, which are each exhibited in their gallery rooms.
The Prado Museum is regarded as one of the world’s finest museums, with the best collection of Spanish art. It boasts around 1,500 paintings, more than 300 sculptures and a diverse array of decorative arts, all displayed permanently.
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