he Discovery of Spain Exhibit in the National Gallery of Scotland recently opened in Edinburgh last month and will continue to run through the middle of October. This is a celebration of the incredible painters and of the heritage and history of the culture of Spain. The collections are all owned by other artists, from England and the British Art collectors. This is also one of the notable high lights of the program for the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
There are many reasons this summer to book your Lothian hotel early, as art loving tourists from around the globe are making their way to this region of Scotland for the summer. The exhibit takes a look at the works of early British painters from the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries who were inspired and captivated by the beauty of Spain, as well as the inspiration gained by exploring some of the countries most notable artists. In a round about way, it also exemplifies British taste, when concerning matters of art, Spanish art specifically.
Some of the collectors have acquired works by such masters as El Greco, Zurbaran and Valazquez. This is an exhibit that will only be hung in the city of Edinburgh and includes more than one hundred thirty drawings, watercolors, prints and paintings. Some of the pieces are on loan from other institutions such as the National Gallery of London, the Tate Museum and the Royal Collection as well as those from the private collections across the United Kingdom.
Goya was known for his illustration of the brutality of war, and the cruelty that individuals show during these times, rather than the glory. Valezequez on the other hand, focused on commissioned portraits. Both of these painters become famous right away, however it took many much longer to appreciate the work of El Greco. All three of these masters of Spain have been studied extensively and continue to inspire and educate the modern painters of today. This is one show that should not be missed.
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