The Milwaukee Art Museum will debut a major exhibition titled "The Brilliance of the Spanish World: El Greco, Velázquez, Zurbarán" on May 2, 2025. Billed as the "most significant collection of Hispanic art outside of Spain," the show features masterpieces from 16th- and 17th-century Spanish painters including El Greco, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco de Zurbarán, spanning Renaissance and Baroque periods. The exhibition runs through July 27 and is included with general admission.
This exhibition matters because it offers a rare opportunity for Midwestern audiences—especially those in Chicago—to view a world-class collection of Spanish art without traveling to Europe. By highlighting works from legendary Spanish masters, the Milwaukee Art Museum positions itself as a significant cultural destination and deepens regional access to art historical treasures that are typically concentrated in major coastal museums.