The National Gallery in London has opened the first monographic exhibition in the UK dedicated to Francisco de Zurbarán, a leading 17th-century Spanish painter. The show brings together exceptional loans from public and private collections across the UK, Europe, and the United States, including works displayed together for the first time in over a century. Highlights include life-size depictions of saints, soaring altarpieces, and contemplative still lifes, with the exhibition running until 23 August.
This exhibition matters because it offers new insights into one of the great Baroque artists whose visionary paintings have shaped understanding of 17th-century Spain. By presenting the most comprehensive survey of Zurbarán’s work ever seen in Britain, the National Gallery provides a rare opportunity to experience the artist’s mastery of chiaroscuro and realism, reinforcing his significance in art history and making his work accessible to a contemporary audience.