An art exhibition from the Spanish Prado National Museum opened
in Beijing on Thursday, with visiting Spanish King Juan Carlos I
attending the opening ceremony.
Fifty-two paintings including effigies of famous people,
religious and historical topics, mythological anecdotes, still life
and landscapes were on display.
The artworks were painted by Europe's most important artists
from 16th to 19th century, including Titian, leader of the
16th-century Venetian school of the Italian Renaissance.
"This exhibition is a precious gift from the Spanish people and
I believe it will become a testimony of the friendship between
Chinese and Spanish people," said Fan Di'an, curator of the
National Art Museum of China, the venue of the art show.
The Director of Prado National Museum Miguel Zugaza said 70
percent of artwork collections of his museum came from the Spanish
royal family.
This is the first official presentation by a Spanish national
museum in China and part of an extensive program to celebrate the
Year of Spain in China.
(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2007)
