Deux Boucher pour le Prado
The Museo del Prado in Madrid has acquired two significant early pendant paintings by François Boucher, titled 'La Naissance et La Mort d'Adonis.' The works were purchased from a French private collection through the Madrid gallery Ana Chiclana, using funds from the bequest of the late department head Juan José Luna. The paintings have been restored and are currently on public display in the Goya's Majas room, awaiting the reopening of the museum's renovated 18th-century galleries.
This acquisition is notable as it strengthens the Prado's holdings of 18th-century French painting, a collection area significantly bolstered by the legacy of a key curator. The purchase demonstrates how targeted bequests can directly shape a museum's collection strategy, allowing for the acquisition of important works that might otherwise be inaccessible. The public display prior to the gallery renovation also highlights the museum's commitment to sharing new acquisitions promptly.