Presented by the City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, through the Autonomous Organization of Culture (OAC), Velázquez’s artwork, “Deer’s Head”, from the Prado Museum collection was unveiled at the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts. This temporary exhibit is part of the “The art that connects” project, a collaboration between the Prado Museum and Telefónica to bring masterpieces by renowned artists like Rubens, El Greco, Velázquez, Zurbarán, Murillo, and Goya to all autonomous communities and cities.
Mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, expressed his pride in showcasing a canvas by one of the greatest figures in Spanish painting, encouraging both locals and tourists to visit the Museum of Fine Arts to admire and learn about this masterpiece that holds significance as part of the Spanish people’s heritage. He pointed out the rarity of such an opportunity without the need to travel off the island.
Councilor for Culture, Santiago Díaz Mejías, highlighted how this collaboration enriches the Museum of Fine Arts by bringing culture closer to the public through the presentation of the universal artistry of a master like Velázquez. The aim is to educate visitors on the immense value of the art gallery’s collections.
Miguel Falomir, the director of the National Prado Museum, emphasised that this initiative, supported by Telefónica, symbolises a national commitment to being a key cultural asset accessible to all Spaniards. It invites people to come to Madrid while also reaching out to them in their local surroundings.
Juan Flores, the territorial director of Telefónica in the Canary Islands, expressed his delight in supporting this cultural project as part of the company’s Centennial celebrations. Telefónica aims to enhance human connections by introducing people to significant artistic legacies, such as those found in the Prado Museum.
“The art that connects” is a joint venture by the National Prado Museum and Telefónica, celebrating the company’s centenary while promoting cultural connections among people. This initiative will see masterpieces of Spanish painting displayed in museums across Spain. Works by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, Murillo, and other renowned masters of the Prado will travel to 18 locations throughout Spain.
This initiative builds on the success of the Prado Museum’s “On Tour through Spain” during its Bicentennial in 2019 and extends its reach to almost forty cities nationwide. Alongside loans and travelling exhibitions, the museum’s presence will be felt in various regions through projects like “El Prado in the streets”, which showcases photographic replicas of the Museum’s collections in public spaces.
Exciting activities at the Museum of Fine Arts
To enhance the visibility of Velázquez’s canvas, the Autonomous Organization of Culture (OAC) has organised a diverse programme of parallel activities catering to various audiences. These activities include a temporary exhibition, a concert, guided tours, and a theatre performance.
The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts will host the temporary exhibition, “Beasts and Animals”, curated by cultural expert Gilberto González, showcasing artworks from the gallery related to the animal kingdom alongside “Cabeza de Venado”. This exhibition will remain accessible even after Velázquez’s masterpiece returns to the National Museum of El Prado, running until the end of July.
Furthermore, the museum has arranged an extensive schedule of free guided tours for school groups, seniors, and families, allowing visitors to explore the artwork and temporary exhibition. Registration is required due to limited capacity and can be done by calling 922 609 446 or emailing expovelazquez@cultania.com.
In addition, on Sunday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m., the museum will host a chamber concert titled “Nature in a painting”, part of the “Resonances in the Museum” project. Tickets for this event are free and can be obtained from the Guimerá Theater’s physical and online box office.
As a special celebration marking Velázquez’s birthday, the theatre company Timaginas Teatro will present the play “Las Meninas” on June 6 and 8 at 7:00 p.m. The play, written in verse by Armando Jerez, delves into the artistry of this universal genius during the creation of “Las Meninas”, one of his notable works displayed at the National Prado Museum. Tickets for this performance will cost 3 euros and can be purchased from the physical and online box office of the Guimerá Theater.
