By Khilen Mehta

In order to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the events of May 1808 and the start of the Spanish war of independence, the Prado has opened up a special exhibition to commemorate the works of Goya. The exhibition will fall within the framework of the commemorative programme sponsored by the National Committee for the Bicentenary of the Spanish War of Independence and visitors have the opportunity to witness more than 200 works of Goya.

The show will focus on the two great canvases of 1808 and 1809, which are currently being cleaned and restored, but will also analyse and focus on Goyas work in a broader context. More than 65 paintings will be loaned for the exhibition from other insitutions and private collections. These include Majas on the Balcony and Portrait of the Marchioness of Montehermoso, both from private collections; Friar Pedro de Zaldivia clubs Maragato the Bandit from The Art Institute of Chicago; The Capture of Christ from Toledo Cathedral, and a group of nine works loaned by the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid. All the paintings are essential to the theme of the exhibition and they will be used to further portray the context of the artistic development of Goya.

All in all, the quality of paintings on display is sure to make this one of the finest international art exhibitions on the works of Goya since the last one organised by the Prado in 1996.

Date:
15 April to 13 July 2008

Ticket prices
General entry: 6€
Reductions and free entry according to regulations
Advance booking for individual visitors: 9€
Free admission: from Tuesday to Saturday from 6 pm to 8 pm and Sandays from 5pm to 8 pm