PROVO, UT – A treasure trove of masterpieces from Spain and the Hispanic world will soon be on view at the BYU Museum of Art in collaboration with the Hispanic Society Museum & Library. Spain and the Hispanic World: Treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library opens to the public January 26, and visitors to the exhibition will be treated to over 150 artworks and artifacts spanning 4,000 years, including paintings by revered artists Diego Velázquez, El Greco, Francisco de Goya, Joaquín Sorolla, and Francisco de Zurbarán. The exhibition is free and open to all.
“We are incredibly honored to host the most expansive collection of Iberian art outside of Spain here at the MOA,” said BYU Museum of Art Director, Janalee Emmer. “It is a historic exhibition and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our campus and Utah communities to see the richly layered culture of Spain and the Spanish influence in Latin America.”
This blockbuster exhibition is organized by the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, home of the most extensive Spanish art collection anywhere outside of Spain. The exhibition arrives in Provo at the end of a long tour, including stops at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Museo del Palacio de Bella Artes in Mexico City, and various sites around the United States. It brings to Utah a vast array of marvels, including prehistoric Iberian earthenware, Roman-era sculpture, medieval illuminated manuscripts, Catholic liturgical artifacts, maps from the Age of Exploration, Latin American jewelry, and masterpieces from iconic Spanish artists from across the centuries.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the BYU Museum of Art and offer an opportunity for these masterpieces to be enjoyed and appreciated by a new audience,” says Guillaume Kientz, Director and CEO of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library. “This exhibition aligns with our overarching mission to showcase the rich tapestry of art and cultures from Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries and communities.”
Over the next 6 months, the MOA will host a series of collaborative, interdisciplinary events and activities in celebration of the exhibition. On opening night, the public is invited to one of the Museum’s signature Art After Dark events; the theme will be “The MOA Gala.” At this free celebration, guests will be treated to live music, dancing, refreshments, art activities, a “Best Dressed” competition, and the chance to be among the first to see the new exhibition. Other events will include a Gallery Talk by MOA Director Dr. Janalee Emmer on February 14, a series of guest lectures, Spanish baroque theatrical and musical performances by the BYU Department of Theatre & Media Arts and the BYU School of Music, and an academic symposium on the art in the exhibition. Each of these events will be free and open to everyone who wishes to attend. Details are available on the Museum’s website.
“It is my fervent hope that people of all ages will take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see artworks of this caliber right here in Utah,” said Philipp Malzl, the Museum of Art’s Head of Education. “The exciting lineup of public programs and events related to this exhibition will both expand and delight the mind and heart of all those who are curious about far-away civilizations and cultures. I am particularly thrilled that this exhibition will be fully accessible in both English and Spanish!”
The exhibition was made possible in part by the generous support of many dedicated sponsors, including Brent and Bonnie Jean Beesley, Bill and Barbara Benac, the Eichenberg-Larsen Family Foundation, Marriott Daughters Foundation, Nebeker Family Foundation, Jack and Mary Lois Wheatley Family, and the Wheeler Foundation. Additional thanks to the Utah Division of Arts and Museums for their 2024 General Operating Support Grant.
Spain and the Hispanic World: Treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library will be on display at the Museum of Art from January 26 to June 15, giving students, families, and tourists plenty of time to visit and re-visit this remarkable display of art history. Details of the exhibition in both English and Spanish, highlights of the artwork, specifics on events, and digital interactive activities to try in the exhibition can be found at https://moa.byu.edu/spain-and-the-hispanic-world .
ABOUT THE HISPANIC SOCIETY MUSEUM & LIBRARY
The Hispanic Society Museum & Library (HSM&L) is the primary institution and reference library dedicated solely to the preservation, study, understanding, exhibition and enjoyment of art and cultures of Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries and communities. Located in Upper Manhattan in the dynamic Washington Heights neighborhood, the institution has, since its inception, remained free of charge, providing unrivaled access to the most extensive collection of Hispanic art and literature outside of Spain and Latin America.
The HSM&L’s permanent collection is unparalleled in its scope and quality, with half a million items that address nearly every aspect of cultures in Spain, Portugal and Latin America from antiquity to present day. HSM&L is unmatched in the multi-disciplinarity and broad historical and geographical extension of its art collection and library, highlighting Hispanic art and cultures’ incredible breadth as seen through its diverse religious, cultural and geographical influences. The collection includes masterworks by El Greco, Velázquez, Rodríguez Juárez, Goya, Campeche, Arrieta, Sorolla, Orozco and Tàpies; sculptures by Pedro de Mena, Luisa Roldán and Caspicara and masterpieces in all areas of the decorative arts. The collections of the Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books are among the most extensive outside Spain and the Library is available as a preeminent center for research on the history, art, and cultures of the Hispanic world. It is open to the public by appointment.
ABOUT THE BYU MUSEUM OF ART
One of the largest and best-attended university art museums in the Mountain West, the BYU Museum of Art offers a dynamic exhibition schedule that includes displays of its permanent collection, world-class traveling shows and thought-provoking exhibitions organized by museum curators. One of the museum’s most important roles is its contribution to the academic mission of Brigham Young University. From the research and study of the artworks in the permanent collection, to the teaching and learning that occurs in classrooms and galleries, the museum plays an important role in the academic pursuits of many students at BYU. Concurrently, the museum seeks to connect to broad community audiences through its exhibitions, educational programming, and online outreach.
MEDIA CONTACT
Riley Lewis
Marketing & Public Relations Manager
Brigham Young University Museum of Art
Office: 801-422-2569
Email: riley_lewis@byu.edu
Press images for this exhibition are available on request.
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