SMU’s Meadows Museumhas acquired six new paintings and drawings, some of which are rare, as part of its “milestone expansion.” The museum marks its 50th anniversary in 2015.
Most of the works are first-timers for the museum. KERA’s Jerome Weeks has more details.And take a look at the pieces in this slideshow.
Earlier this year, the Meadows announced nine significant acquisitions.
This week’s announcement means the museum continues to expand its Spanish art collection.
“This has become a landmark year of acquisitions for the Meadows,” Mark A. Roglán, Meadows Museum director, said in a news release. “Not only is it remarkable to be adding such extraordinary works by so many artists during a single year, but the breadth and variety of the acquisitions is tremendous --the new paintings, sculpture and drawings range from the 16th century to the 20th century.”
The new pieces include:
- Alonso Cano, "Christ Child" (c. 1636-38) -- The oil painting is the first work by the noted Sevillian artist to be acquired by the museum. Officials say this is the first time the painting has come to light in 200 years.
- Miguel Jacinto Meléndez, "Portrait of Philip V, King of Spain," and "Portrait of María Luisa Gabriela of Savoy" (c. 1701-03) -- The oil paintings on copper are the earliest known likenesses of the monarchs to be painted by the artist.
- Juan de Valdés Leal, "Apparition of Christ to Saint Ignatius on his Way to Rome" (c. 1662) – The rare, unpublished drawing by the Sevillian artist is a preparatory wrk for his Jesuit painting series depicting scenes from the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the museum says.
- Zacarías González Velázquez, "Mary Magdalene and Head of a Moor" (1793) –The chalk drawing contains “two intricately executed sketches for two distinct González Velázquez paintings commissioned for the Cathedral of Jaén."
- Antonio Carnicero, "María Luisa of Parma, Queen of Spain" (1789) – Before Carnicero became court painter to King Charles IV in 1796, he created a preparatory drawing for the painted portraits of the queen. But the work resembles an engraving more than a sketch, the museum says.
