National Gallery of Art opens Baroque Painted Sculptures & Great Spanish Religious Painting

Written by Brett Zongker, Associated Press Writer Monday, 12 December 2011 21:31

Washington, DC - Arrestingly real sculptures and paintings of the saints, the Immaculate Conception, and the Passion of Christ are among some 20 Spanish masterpieces of the 17th century on view in a landmark exhibition at the National Gallery of Art. The Sacred Made Real: Spanish Painting and Sculpture, 1600–1700  will showcase major paintings by Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Zurbarán, and Francisco Pacheco, with painted and gilded sculptures carved by Gregorio Fernández, Juan Martínez Montañés, and Pedro de Mena, among others. On view February 28 through 31 May, 2010.

The exhibition will also reveal the dynamic and intricate relationship between two-dimensional pictures on canvas and painted sculptures. Many of the sculptures have never been exhibited away from the Spanish churches, convents, and monasteries where they continue to be venerated and to inspire the faithful.

"This interaction between painting and sculpture led to some really spectacular pictures," said curator Xavier Bray of London's National Gallery, who coordinated the exhibit. It took several years for him to negotiate with churches and monasteries to borrow some of the best examples of Spain's religious sculpture.

Famous painters from the period may have taken inspiration from the less famous sculptors working nearby. During a tour of the exhibition, Bray argued Velazquez likely worked off of sculptures by Juan Martinez Montanes in his painting "The Immaculate Conception."

The softly lit gallery is a walk through several key Christian themes, from the Immaculate Conception to the passion of Christ and the depiction of saints. The pieces are most notable for their extreme realism.

Visitors can walk behind a life-size figure of Christ to see depictions of the awful wounds on his back after he had been whipped

Organization: Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the National Gallery, London.

Sponsor: The exhibition in Washington is made possible by the generous support of Robert H. Smith, The Charles Engelhard Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

The exhibition is presented on the occasion of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Spain, the Spain–USA Foundation, and the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC. Additional support for the Washington presentation is provided by Buffy and William Cafritz.

The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Visit : http://www.nga.gov/