The Prado Museum in Madrid has launched the third installment of its "The Female Perspective" series, a self-guided thematic route highlighting the collection of Queen Isabella Farnese. The route, running through May 2026, features 45 works from the queen's 1,000-piece collection, including five pieces newly out of storage and a Murillo sketch stolen in 1897 recently recovered from France's Musée de Pau. This is the first edition focused on a single woman, showcasing Farnese's role as the Royal Collection's most significant donor.
This exhibition matters because it reframes the Prado's foundational narrative, centering a powerful female collector whose acquisitions—spanning Spanish, Flemish, and Italian masters—shaped one of the world's great museums. By spotlighting Farnese's agency and taste, the series challenges traditional art historical hierarchies and offers visitors a fresh perspective on how women have influenced cultural institutions. The inclusion of a recently recovered stolen work also underscores ongoing restitution efforts.