15 Nov 2023
The exhibition invites visitors to go beyond the painted surface and delve into the analysis of the backs of paintings, transforming them into objects of study and narratives in their own right. Until March 3, 2024, the Museo del Prado, in collaboration with the AXA Foundation, offers a fascinating journey that reveals the other side of works of art.
The exhibition, curated by artist Miguel Ángel Blanco, challenges conventions by presenting the works without hierarchies or chronological order, allowing for a freer and more complete connection with the paintings. In addition to pieces from the Prado collection, the exhibition includes generous loans from national and international institutions such as the Telefónica Foundation, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf, among others.
Starting from the iconic work Las Meninas, where the reverse side of Velázquez’s canvas is revealed as an integral part, Miguel Ángel Blanco proposes a unique approach by turning the works around, offering visitors a renewed relationship with the artists who created the 98 selected works.
While other museums have partially explored the dimension of the backs of paintings, the Prado National Museum, with the ambition supported by the AXA Foundation, undertakes a comprehensive approach, reviewing not only the backs of its own collection but also identifying significant examples in museums around the world.
The exhibition is structured into chapters that address various aspects related to the reverse sides, from representations in painters’ studios to works that become “double-sided,” where the back complements the main image. It also explores elements such as the stretcher as a cross, later-added information, the stories embedded in materials, and modifications made over time.
REVERSOS goes beyond the simple act of turning paintings around; it is a comprehensive reassessment of how we appreciate works of art, challenging the viewer to take a more active role by moving around the works and exploring the spatial relationships that emerge in the interaction with art. The exhibition highlights the importance of the reverse side as an essential component for understanding the richness and complexity of great paintings.
More information about the exhibition
Event: REVERSOS exhibition at the Museo Nacional del Prado, in collaboration with the AXA Foundation
Venue: Museo Nacional del Prado
Curator: Miguel Ángel Blanco
Event dates: 07/11/2023 to 03/03/2024
