Spain Beyond the Myths

The late 19th century is regarded as one of the most vibrant periods in European painting, with Spanish artists playing a central role. This exhibition presents a carefully curated selection of oil paintings by some of the era’s most renowned painters, including Joaquín Sorolla, Mariano Fortuny, Ignacio Zuloaga, Ramón Casas, and Santiago Rusiñol.

Exhibition Overview
European travelers of the 18th and 19th centuries developed a profound fascination with Spain. Many of them contributed to the creation of stereotypes that have endured to the present day, forming a heritage—sometimes imagined—that has often been accepted as an objective reality. This foreign gaze not only increased international interest in visiting Spain but also helped shape an identity built through a process of mythification in which Andalusian heritage, flamenco, and bullfighting played key roles.

This aesthetic process strongly influenced numerous Spanish painters, including those who lived and worked in Rome and Paris. In these artistic hubs—centers of European painting—contact with leading figures of the time encouraged Spanish artists to develop an artistic language with genuine international appeal, while reinforcing the vision of a mythical Spain.