In his remarks on the occasion of the opening of an exhibition of Spanish modernist art at Kadriorg Art Museum in Tallinn, Estonian President Alar Karis said that the exhibition strengthens the friendship between Estonia and Spain.
“Spain is known for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and captivating traditions. However, there are also more serious topics and conflicts that the exhibition of Spanish landscapes from Fortuny to Picasso, displayed at the Kadriorg Art Museum, lets show,” Karis said. He also expressed his and his wife Sirje’s gratitude to everyone who contributed to bringing this exhibition to Estonia.
“This initiative strengthens the friendship and cooperation between Estonia and Spain, enriches our cultural understanding, and opens doors to new opportunities,” Karis said
On April 13, the Kadriorg Art Museum opened the exhibition “Espana Blanca y Negra. Vision of Spain, from Fortuny to Picasso,” introducing Spanish art from romantic landscape paintings of the 19th century to the innovative pursuits of the young Pablo Picasso. The main focus of the exhibition are works by Spanish masters of modernism of the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, dedicated to their search for the essence of Spain. At that time, the question of cultural identity rose to prominence in many places in Europe, including Spain, where powerful literature, music and art was born out of the dialogue between the proponents of “white” and “black” Spain.
Aleksandra Murre, the director of the Kadriorg Art Museum and one of the exhibition’s two curators, described “Espana Blanca y Negra” as not only a very thorough exhibition consisting of wonderful works of art, but also a small miracle, since organizing an international exhibition and bringing it to Estonia at the present moment is very expensive and complicated. According to her, many museums and private collections rescinded their original agreements because they considered the geopolitical situation of Estonia too dangerous.
“We are grateful to the lenders of the artworks, who trusted their valuable artistic treasures to us — including by one of the pre-eminent names of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso — despite the uncertainty and the lack of recognition of our small museum in Spain. These include the leading museums of Spain, such as the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the Arte Ederren Bilboko Museoa — Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, and the Coleccion Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza in Malaga. Numerous private collections are also represented, whose owners successfully collaborated with us thanks to the efforts of the curator Carlos Alonso Perez-Fajardo. It is also important that the embassy of Spain in Estonia has been among the supporters and collaborators of the project since the very beginning,” the museum director added.
The exhibition is open until Aug. 25, 2024. After Tallinn, the exhibition will move on to Riga, where it will be open at the Art Museum Riga Bourse from Sept. 15 to Dec. 15.
Source: BNS
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