Great news for the Valencian cultural world. The universal Joaquín Sorolla will expand his presence among his. As already announced, the … Consell works with the Hispanic Society of America in a joint project so that the work of Sorolla that has the prestigious institution based in New York steps on the floor of the Community. If the agreement closes – all indicates that yes -, the work of the master of light will live another historical moment.
While negotiations advance, there is a question in the air. What works can be seen in Valencia from which the US institution keeps? The Generalitat has not yet answered this question. Ensures that negotiations are still in progress and little else. However, the provinces have confirmed that although the canvases of ‘Visions of Spain’ will not come to Valencia. In statements to this newspaper Guillaume Kientz, CEO of the Hispanic Society in 2023 already assured that this collection would not be transported again. These pieces starred in the great exhibition that Bancaja Foundation dedicated in 2007 marking a milestone in the history of art exhibitions in the city.
Clear is unknown, you cannot lose sight of the fact that 240 works are found in the Hispanic funds. Excluded fourteen canvases from ‘visions of Spain’ all the remaining could be seen in the capital of Turia. Among them, the sources consulted ensure that a collection of the sketches of the ‘visions of Spain’ is saved. In addition, it also retains a collection of portraits of Spanish illustrious than the painter, as well as the fourteen monumental panels, he commissioned by Archer M. Huntington, founder and main benefactor of Hispanic. Characters like Pío Baroja and Juan Ramón Jiménez are part of that gallery of Illustrious.
Among the works that the sources stand out as susceptible and perhaps the most attractive to cross the puddle in the direction of the capital of Turia there are “five or six medium -sized canvases of those that correspond to the beach scenes so typical of Sorolla.” Everything indicates that the options could be inclined to the aforementioned sketches, the portraits or the beach scenes. Maybe by several pieces of each of them.
Currently the collection includes 88 oils on canvas, 20 small oil sketches on cardboard or table, and 110 watering and drawings. No painter of his time shows a work as complete as Sorolla within the Hispanic Society.
Nor has the Generalitat provided data on the formalities that will accompany the artistic visit. But, once again, the specialists who have asked this newspaper have pointed out that it must be taken into account that they will not come “forever.” A rental contract for “a certain number of years” can be the formality that is being managed.
The works of the Hispanic Society of America “cannot be sold or leave their place forever,” they warn. Hence, it will have to be a rent for which a high price will be paid.
There has always been a close relationship between the Generalitat Valenciana and the Hispanic Society of America. One of the examples that illustrate the collaboration between both parties is offered by the restoration, through the Valencian Institute for Conservation, Restoration and Research (IVCR+I), of 32 sketches between 2013-2015 of the pictorial series ‘Vision of Spain’. It was a work that won the European Union European Prize.
The Chief of the Consell, Carlos Mazón, accompanied by the regional secretary of Culture, Pilar Tébar, and the director of the Valencian Institute for Conservation, Restoration and Research, Gemma Contreras, have met this week with the CEO of the Hispanic Society of America, Guillaume Kientz. This recent meeting has been a first contact that, in addition, has served to visit the funds in the collection.
The Hispanic Society of America is a Museum and Research Library for the Study of the Arts and Culture of Spain, Portugal, Latin America and the Philippines. Founded in 1904 by Archer M. Huntington, it houses a great collection of art, literature and historical objects in which the ‘vision of Spain’ by Joaquín Sorolla stands out mainly.
The Post Building as the destination of the paintings
All eyes go to the central Palace of Communications, the Post Office of the City of the City Council, as a destination of the works that will travel from New York to Valencia. It is the option with the most possibilities that the Valencian government points. The monumental building awaits a use that fills it with content since the Generalitat acquired it in December 2021 without a plan to use for its future.
The great house, which cost the Valencians 23.9 million euros premiered with the exhibition ‘of Foscor to the Llum’ that hosted the seventy works of the Lladró collection also acquired by the Generalitat. The monumental canvas of Sorolla, ‘I am the bread of life’, became the star of an art exhibition that was announced in December 2022, on the eve of the Sorolla year (2023) and in the doors also of the electoral year in which Ximo Puig, president of the Generalitat who warmed the plan of the exhibition lost the elections. Interpretations, were reading with electoral content. It was as it may, the truth is that the initiative had great reception by the public. Valencia felt good to have the greatest of his painters within reach of the view with Zurbarán, Pinazo, Ribera, Ribalta and Juan de Juanes.
It was a sound stroke that gradually lost bellows. That exhibition ended in February 2023 and the works went to their destination, the Museum of Fine Arts. Correos hosted some exhibition such as that dedicated to Robert Capa in April 2023, another Valencian crafts and even some meeting such as the one held by the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. It also became an ideal place to look at its windows at Mascletà. Time was passing until now more than two years after the brilliant inauguration, nothing still knows about the use that will be given to Correos.
Some options such as the then candidate and now mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, have announced in May 2023. He presented a project for an innovative museums: the Fallero Museum of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Tests were done with a 4D simulator because what was sought was to grant character for immersive exhibitions.
Much remains to be decided still. Therefore, nothing can be affirmed or denied to the end that will be given to an emblematic construction of the capital that cost 24 million euros to the Valencians. Two years later, all eyes go to this great house like the Detino for the sorollas that arrive in New York. Time, which does not stop running, will be the one to pronounce.
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