ROSARIO DE VELASCO

From 18 June to 15 September 2024

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza is presenting this summer an exhibition on the Spanish figurative painter Rosario de Velasco (Madrid, 1904 - Barcelona, 1991) that brings together around 30 paintings from the 1920s to the 1940s - the earliest and the most important from Velasco’s career - and a section on her work as an illustrator. Rosario de Velasco’s work represents an outstanding example of the so-called “return to order” in Spain, a movement parallel to German New Objectivity and Italian Novecento with a style that combined tradition and modernity

The exhibition, which is benefiting from the support of the Region of Madrid and the City Council of Madrid, aims to present and draw attention to the work of one of the great Spanish women artists of the first half of the 20th century. In addition to well-known paintings from museum collections, such as the famous oil Adam and Eve (1932) from the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, The Massacre of the Innocents (ca. 1936) from the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia, Maragatos (1934) from the Museo del Traje, Madrid, and Carnival (before 1936) from the Centre Pompidou, Paris, the exhibition features works still with the artist’s family and in private collections and others that have only been rediscovered and located in the past few months.

Following its showing in Madrid, the exhibition will be presented at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia from 7 November 2024 to 16 February 2025.

ROSARIO DE VELASCO is a renowned painter known for her powerful and evocative works that capture the essence of human emotions and experiences.

Born in Madrid, she began an active career as a painter in her early years. A student of Fernando Álvarez de Sotomayor y Zaragoza, she developed a neo-traditional style imbued with magical realism.

With a unique style that blends traditional techniques with modern interpretations, Velasco's art has garnered international acclaim and admiration. Her use of vibrant colors and intricate details creates striking pieces that resonate with viewers on a profound level. Velasco's ability to convey complex themes and narratives through her paintings sets her apart as a true master of her craft, earning her a well-deserved place in the pantheon of contemporary artists.