Madrid’s highly anticipated Royal Collections Gallery has opened its doors to the public and features masterpieces by Velázquez, Caravaggio, Titian, El Greco, Tintoretto and Goya. First conceived in the 1930s and finally launched in 1998, the mammoth undertaking took 25 years and 172 million euros ($186 million) to prepare.
“This is the biggest museum project in Spain and Europe for decades,” said Ana de la Cueva, president of Spain’s Patrimonio Nacional, a government agency that oversees royal heritage.
The House of Habsburg at the new Royal Gallery of Collections in Madrid. Photo: Patrimonio Nacional.
The museum now houses an important collection of more than 150,000 paintings, tapestries, furniture, decorative art, armor and royal carriages that were amassed by the Spanish monarchy over five centuries. The museum’s inaugural exhibition features 650 of these objects, a third of which will be replaced each year.
The black carriage. Photo: Patrimonio Nacional.
To reflect the history of the collection, the museum is organized chronologically into special galleries dedicated to the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties. For the inauguration, the museum’s temporary space was also used to present “On The Move: National Heritage Vehicles and Carriages”, which shows visitors how people have traveled in style through history via sumptuous royal carriages , chariots, sedan chairs and automobiles.
Caravaggio, Salome with the head of John the Baptist (1607). Photo: Patrimonio Nacional.
Among the stars of the show are Velázquez White horse (1634-1638), a crucifixion by Titian, and Caravaggio Salome with the head of John the Baptist (1607), one of four works by the Italian Baroque master in Spain.
Luisa Rollan, Saint Michael slaying the devil. Photo: Patrimonio Nacional.
The public will also clamor to see the recently restored painted wooden sculpture of Saint Michael slaying the devil made in 1692 by Luisa Roldán. She was the first female sculptor to work at the Spanish court and her fame easily surpassed that of her husband, who is said to have been her model for the devil. The statue has never been displayed to the public.
The vestibule of the new Royal Gallery of Collections in Madrid. Photo: Patrimonio Nacional.
The impressive new building is nestled into a steep slope overlooking Madrid’s Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. To accommodate its unusual position, award-winning architects Luis Mansilla and Emilion Tuñón designed it as an elegant vertical structure that descends seven levels.
During its construction, archaeologists discovered sections of an Arab wall dating back to the 9th century, when Madrid was a Muslim city. Although this discovery was initially the cause of some delays in the project, the wall has been restored and is now integrated into the exhibition. Further delays were caused by the recession and the global pandemic.
The archaeological area with an ancient Muslim wall discovered during the construction of the Royal Gallery of Collections in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Patrimonio Nacional.
“The oldest part of Madrid has been integrated with the most modern in this marvelous 21st century building,” said de la Cueva.
Despite their royal associations, the museum’s treasures belong to the Spanish public and, along with the country’s royal palaces, monasteries and gardens, are overseen by the Patrimonio Nacional (Crown Heritage).
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