Cultural & Fine Arts

Queen Sofía Spanish Institute has maintained a strong commitment to the fine arts by exhibiting major masters and newly emerging artists from Spain, Latin America and Europe. Exhibitions on themes related to Spanish art and the Spanish tradition in the Americas are offered throughout the year at the Institute's two galleries.

All exhibitions are organized in conjunction with the Institute's Education Program, which conducts lectures, tours and classroom outreach examining the history and artistic legacy of the Spanish and Latin American community.

Queen Sofía Spanish Institute has presented a variety of cultural activities throughout the years, which include art exhibitions, lectures and symposia on a myriad of topics, book presentations and a varied Music Program that includes recitals and concert performances.

The Institute takes great pride in its top-notch speakers. The list of impressive participants in the Cultural & Fine Arts Program over the last few years includes such people as Rosamond Bernier, Dr. Jonathan Brown, Dr. Santiago Calatrava, Dr. Edith Grossman, Dr. Géza von Habsburg, Robert Hughes, Dr. Richard Kagan, José Rafael Moneo, Terence Riley, Dr. Barbara Rose and Lord Hugh Thomas.

Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Exhibitions 1984 – 2011

Re-Imagining Don Quixote
In conjunction with Americas Society and Arion Press, an exhibition of the Arion Press artistic edition of Edith Grossman’s translated Don Quixote, illustrated by the acclaimed contemporary artist William T. Wiley, designed by Arion Press founder Andrew Hoyem.
(March 10 – June 8, 2011)

Balenciaga: Spanish Master
The first exhibition to consider the impact of Spain’s culture, history and art on one of its greatest twentieth century sons, the legendary designer Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972). Curated by Hamish Bowles.
(November 17, 2010 – February 19, 2011)

Treasures Along the Route of Santiago de Compostela
Exhibition in conjunction with Junta de Castilla y León and World Monuments Fund. The reproduction of the sculpture Saint James from The Cloisters Collection by Metropolitan Museum. Photographs of other critical World Monument Fund projects in Castilla y León (Cartuja de Miraflores, Acueducto de Segovia, Toro, and those found along Camino de Santiago).
(Tuesday February 23 - Monday, April 12, 2010)

Antón Lamazares
Antón Lamazares retrospective from 1983- 2003. Curated by Javier Fuentes. In collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Washington D.C. and the Sociedad Estatal para la Acción Cultural Exterior (SEACEX).
(November 18, 2009 – January 17, 2010)

Vicente Colom: Nature into Art
Pen and ink drawings on paper. Curated by Barbara Rose. In collaboration with the Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM).
(September 24 – November 6, 2009)

Santiago Calatrava: World Trade Center Transportation Hub
Architectural models and drawings from recent American works by architect Santiago Calatrava, with a multimedia installation focusing on New York's World Trade Center Transportation Hub and featuring a newly updated maquette of the project.
(May 8 – August 31, 2009)

Tolsá: Photographs by Joaquín Bérchez.
A collection of photographs by Valencian photographer and architectural historian Joaquín Bérchez examining Mexican masterpieces designed by Valencian architect Manuel Tolsá Sarrió. Originally organized by the Consorcio de Museos de la Comunidad Valenciana and the Generalitat Valenciana to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Tolsá's birth.
(March 11 – April 22, 2009)

INTIMACIES/INTIMISMOS, Mary Heebner
An installation of original paintings by Mary Heebner, including those recently published alongside her selection of poetry by Pablo Neruda in the fully bilingual book INTIMACIES: Poems of Love.
(January 15 – February 28, 2009)

From Painting to Installation, Josune Amunárriz
Curator: Dr. Barbara Rose. In collaboration with the Galería Salvador Díaz in Madrid, the Govemment of Basque Region and SEACEX.
(October 8 – November 24, 2008)

The Medium is not the Message
Exhibition of video art: Javier Pérez, Gabriel Díaz and Marina Núñez, Curator Barbara Rose. In collaboration with Galería Salvador Díaz and SEACEX.
(May 29 – July 12, 2008)

Gerardo Rueda: Sculpture Maquettes
Works from the collection of the Gerardo Rueda Foundation and Museum in Madrid and from the Valencian Institute of Contemporary Art (IVAM). Curated by Barbara Rose. Part of a special collaboration with The Gallery at The Park Avenue Bank and The Amie and Tony James Gallery at The Graduate Center, CUNY.
(February 28 – April 30, 2008)

Mallorcan Landscapes
From the Foundation Es Baluard Museu d’Art Modern i Contemporani de Palma Collections. The exhibitions encompasses a series of works by 17 Mallorcan, Catalan and foreign artists. Curated by Catalina Joy and Soad Houman from the Es Baluard Museu.
(November 28, 2007 – February 2, 2008)

Madrid Fashion Week
A beautiful and dynamic fashion presentation to showcase the works of Spanish designers from the Cibeles Runway Shows.
(October 18 – November17, 2007)

In honor of Her Majesty Queen Sofía. Greece: Images of an Enchanted Land, 1954-1965
An exhibition of photographs of Greece by Robert McCabe from his book Greece: Images of an Enchanted Land, 1954-1965 (Quantuck Lane; Bilingual edition September 6, 2006).
(July 19 – August 26, 2007)

Salvador Tuset Tuset (1883-1951)
Student of Sorolla. Curated by Isabel Justo. In collaboration with the Generalitat de Valencia and art historian Felipe Garín.
(May 25  – June 29, 2007)

Tile Design in Valencia: From the Middle Ages Through the Early 20th Century
From the Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarios González Martí de Valencia, the Ministry of Culture, the Museo del Azulejo de Onda (Castellón), and the Museo de Cerámica de Manises (Valencia). Curated by Jaume Coll Conesa. In collaboration with the Generalitat of Valencia.
(November 15, 2006 – March 30, 2007)

Ràfols-Casamada Paintings 1950-2005
Curated by José Francisco Yvars. Organized by The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and The State Corporation for Spanish Cultural Action Abroad (SEACEX). In collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the United States and the Consulate General of Spain in New York.
(July 21 – September 29, 2006)

Carlos Saura: Exhibition of Flamenco Photographs, 1950-2000
An exhibition of 95 black and white photographs by Carlos Saura. In collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. and the Consulate General of Spain in N.Y.
(April 13 – May 26, 2006)

Giovanni Battista Piranesi Engravings
From The Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia. Curated by Adela Espinós Díaz. In collaboration with the Generalitat of Valencia.
(December 5, 2005 – February 4, 2006)

Clay and Paint:  Ceramics and Watercolors by Santiago Calatrava
(October 19 – November 26, 2005)

From Goya to Sorolla: Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Salutes the Hispanic Society of
America on Its 100th Anniversary
Curated by Dr. Marcus B. Burke and Dr. Priscilla E. Muller. In collaboration with The Hispanic Society of America.
(April 26 – July 30, 2005)

Why? Paintings byAlvaro Delgado
Curated by Marta de Andrés. In collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(March 3 – April 6, 2005)

European Drawings XVI – XVIII
From The Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia. Curated by Adela Espinós Díaz. In collaboration with the Generalitat of Valencia.
(November 9, 2004 – February 10, 2005) 

New York Post Data. Photography by Ángel Luis Aldaiz, Sculpture by Juan Correa and
paintings by Gregorio González
Curated by Eliza Brown and Victor Medina.
(Septembe 22 – October 29, 2004)

El Camino de la Lengua Castellana
In collaboration with Comunidad de La Rioja
(June 17 – July 27, 2004)

América Siempre
Photographs by Carlos Díez Polanco in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. and the Consulate General of Spain in New York
(May 6 – June 4, 2004)

Still Lifes and Flowers
From The Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia. Curated by Dr. Alfonso E. Pérez Sanchez. In collaboration with the Generalitat de Valencia. 
(November 19, 2003 – February 8, 2004)

José Caballero: Circles and Dreams
Curated by Mariano Navarro. The Spanish Institute in collaboration with The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SEACEX and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria
(February 27 – April 10, 2003)

Jerónimo Jacinto de Espinosa (1600-1667)
Curated by Alfonso E. Pérez Sánchez. This exhibition was sponsored by The Generalitat Valenciana and The Consortium of Museums of The Comunidad Valenciana
(November 20, 2002- January 31, 2003)

A Portrait of the Artist as a State of Mind and Flow
Elastic Group of Artistic Research. Alexandro Ladaga & Silvia Manteiga. Curated by Julian Zugazagoitia
(October 2 – November 4, 2002)

The Master of Silence. Gerardo Rueda
Drawings and Collages. Curated by Barbara Rose
(May 20 – July 31, 2002)

The Dancing Horses of Andalucia and The Soul of Andalucia
Photographs by Daniel Aubry. Sponsored by Junta de Andalucia
(January 23  – March 2002)

Pintura Metarrealista
In collaboration with Sala Parés Gallery, Barcelona.
(June 21 – August 25, 2001)

Circuitos
In collaboration with La Comunidad de Madrid. 
(May 8 – June 12, 2001)

Copper, Stone and Fire – James Metcalf, Ana Pellicer & the Artisans of Santa
Clara del Cobre
In collaboration with the Mexican Cultural Institute and Temple University. Sponsored by Delta Airlines.
(February 15 – March 30, 2001)

Homage to Mariano Benlliure and Joaquín Sorolla
Generalitat Valenciana.
(November 29, 2000 – January 20th 2001)

Artistas Plásticos Contemporáneos en el Estrecho de Gibraltar
Diputación de Cádiz
(October 18 – November 4, 2000)

Andorran Memories: Valentí Claverol a Retrospective
(May 3 – September 7, 2000)

Memoria y Vanguardia 8 pintores de Galicia
(Februrary 22 – March 25, 2000)

Zurbarán y su Obrador: Pinturas para el Nuevo Mundo
Generalitat Valenciana. 
(November 16, 1999 – January 9, 2000)

El Camino de Santiago
by Inge Morath. Photography Exhibition, 
(May 17 – June 30, 1999)

El Alma del Pueblo: Spanish Folk Art and its Transformation in the America
In collaboration with the Americas Society
(September 18 – December 31, 1998)

El Orientalismo en la Pintura de Antonio Muñoz Degraín
Generalitat Valenciana
(November 18, 1997 – January 4, 1998)

Ismael Smith
Grabador. Calcografia Nacional de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid
(April – May 1998)

Painting in Spain in the Age of Enlightenment: Goya and his Contemporaries
At the Indianapolis Museum of Art
(November 23, 1996 – January 19, 1997)

Antes del Arte
Generalitat Valenciana
(November 18, 1996 – January 15, 1997)

Modern and Contemporary Art of the Dominican Republic
(June 5 – August 5, 1996)

Senén Ubiña: The Past Twenty Years
(November 28 – January 30, 1995)

Picasso’s Influence on United States Printmakers
(September 21 – November 18, 1995)

Painting in Cantabria
(March 10 – April 14, 1995)

Trajectories:  Spanish Artists in New York
(December 6, 1994 – January 31, 1995)

Inge Morath: Photographs of Spain in the 1950’s
(October 26 – November 29, 1994)

Picasso’s Vollard Suite
(February – April 1994)

Juan Botas
(December 27, 1993 – January 4, 1994)

Spanish Polychrome Sculpture 1500-1800 in the United States Collections
(November 4, 1993 – January 4, 1994)

Iberian Antiquities
from the Collection of Shelby White and Leon Levy
(September 13 – December 10, 1993)

Spain, Espagne, Spanien: Foreign Artists Discover Spain 1800-1900
In collaboration with The Equitable Gallery 
(July 1 – September 1993)

Santiago: Saint of Two Worlds
(June 23 – August 6, 1993)

Colección: El Aire
(May 20 – June 12, 1993)

From the Volcano: Twentieth-Century Artists from the Canaries
(March – May 1993)

America Discovers Spain I
(November – January 1993)

Facsimiles Exhibition
(December – January 1993)

Valencia Painters: 1860-1936
From the Collection of the Diputación de Valencia
(July – September 1992)

The Spanish Vision: Contemporary Art Photography, 1970-1990
(March – May 1992)

Goya and the Satirical Print in England and on the Continent, 1730-1850
(May – June 1991)

Spanish Prints of the Eighties
(January – April, 1991)

Spain Collects: Modern Masterpieces from the Collection of Jacques Hachuel
(November 1990 – January 1991)

The Gold and Silver Coins of Mexico
(September – November 1990)

The Mexican Muralists and Prints
(September – November 1990)

Italian 17th and 18th Century Drawings from the Biblioteca Nacional
(November – December 1989)

POE(LI)TICAL OBJECT: Experimental Poetry from Spain
(May – June 1989)

Ignacio Zuloaga in America, 1909-1925
(February – April 1989)

Valencia in New York: The Paintings of Ribalta
(October – December 1988)

The Language of the Fan: Contemporary Spanish Artist’s Interpretations
(April – May 1988)

The Spanish Golden Age in Miniature: Portraits from the Rosenbach Museum and Library
(March – April 1988)

Fernando Vijande: History of a Spanish Avant-Garde Gallery
(February – March 1988)

The Drawings of Federico Garcia Lorca
(November – December 1987)

Francesc Catalá - Roca: Photography
(February – March 1987)

The Barcelona Plazas: Preview of an Urban Experience
(April – May 1987)

Children’s Drawings of the Spanish Civil War
(October – December 1986)

The Quijote of Matta by Roberto Matta
(May – June 1986)

Arcadian Images: The Spanish Landscape through Pictorialist Photography
(January – February 1986)

Hispania Nostra’s Monumental Spain: A Photographic Exhibit
(November 1985 – January 1986)

Francisco de Goya’s Allegory of the City of Madrid
(October – November 1985)

Masterpieces of Spanish Paintings from the Collection of the Cintas Foundation
(May – June 1985)

Ceramic Sculptures and Drawings of Joan Artigas
(February – March 1985)

Goya: The Disasters of War and Selected Prints from the Collection of the
Arthur Ross Foundation
(November 17, 1984 – January 16, 1985)

Photography Exhibit: The Architecture of Josep María Pujol
(May 1984)

Granados y Goyescas, an homage to Enrique Granados, coinciding with the
150th anniversary of his birth
(May 27 – July 82)

Spanish Medieval Art
(February 1975)