Treasures from Spain

Mexico City's Palace of Fine Arts as viewed from the Sears Department Store

across the street.

On Thursday I went downtown to the Palace of Fine Arts to view a special exhibit entitled "Treasures of the Hispanic Society of America".

The Hispanic Society of America was founded in 1904 by New York millionaire Archer Huntington.  Huntington was fascinated with Spain and began a collection of over 18,000 objects... paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, historic documents and rare books... from Spain and its former colonies.  It is the largest collection of its kind outside of Spain.

While the Society's building in New York City is under renovation, an exhibit of more than 200 of its treasures is on tour.  The show was previously at the Prado Museum in Madrid, and it is now in Mexico City.  The works span more than 4000 years of Spain's history.

A Roman bust from the ruins of Italica near present-day Seville, 1st century A.D.

A tenth century Moorish box carved from ivory, circa 966

Moorish silk fabric from the Alhambra Palace, circa 1400

Ceramic plate from Seville, circa 1500

Portrait of the Count of Olivares by Diego Velázquez, circa 1625

"The Prodigal Son" by Bartolomé Murillo, circa 1656-1665

"Penitent St. Jerome" by El Greco, circa 1600

Perhaps the most famous painting in the exhibit is this portrait by Francisco Goya of the Duchess of Alba, circa 1796-1797.

This painting fueled speculation that the Duchess and Goya were lovers.  She is wearing two rings, one inscribed "Alba", the other "Goya".

There are also numerous items in the exhibit from the Spanish colonies in the New World.

This painting is part of a famous (or perhaps I should say infamous) series that portrayed the racial castes of colonial Mexico.  "Mestizo and Indian Produces Coyote"

These polychrome, wooden sculptures were done by an 18th century Ecuadorian artist.

They portray "Death", "Soul in Hell", "Soul in Purgatory" and "Soul in Heaven".

This excellent exhibit will be in Mexico City until September 23rd.

View from the steps of the Palace of Fine Arts