Renaissance to Goya: prints and drawings from Spain


Academic exhibition at the in the print room of the British Library focusing on Spanish drawings from 1500 to the early 19th century.

It was well organised focusing on particular cities at points in time to illustrate a technique or theme. It began with Madrid and designs of the Philip II’s palace including a beautiful design for a vestment.   

Here was a slight misbalance to the show as Velazquez had done very view drawings so there were only two by him. This did mean there was rather a lot of fairly standard 17th century studies for or copies of altar piece which got a but waring.

My favourite piece in the show was a wonderful drawing of a monk by Zuberan which had such pathos. I am rapidly becoming a Zuberan fan!

The main thing I learnt was the Tiepolo and his sons moved to Spain in the 1750s. I didn’t know that and would like to know more! 

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