Zurbarán

Zurbarán
at The National Gallery
until 23 August
Monday, 15 June at 6pm. 

Of the three great painters of the Spanish Golden Age, Diego Velázquez, Bartolomé Murillo and Francisco de Zurbarán, the last is probably the least well known – in the UK, at least. That is probably because, until now, there has been no major exhibition dedicated to his work in this country. However, the National Gallery is now correcting years of neglect with a stunning exhibition showing the full range of his output. 

Starting with his earliest signed and dated work – a Crucifixion so apparently solid that it could easily be mistaken for sculpture – and often was – the exhibition charts his development working for the religious orders which flourished with Seville’s growing wealth, the individual figures of saints which echo, when seen together, the processions of the devout, to his royal summons to Madrid, where he painted his only known classical subject matter. It also explores his meticulous Still Life paintings, including two newly discovered works, never before seen in public, and the equally spectacular paintings by his son – and pupil – Juan. The exhibition closes with a consideration of his late works, when his style softens, as he influences – and is influenced by – his younger contemporary Murillo. 

As usual, I will take the time to look at the exhibition in detail, focussing on the works exhibited: it is such a good selection as to be entirely representative of his output as a whole.

Please remember, I do not record my talks.