Who knew Madrid would have a fabulous Brueghel exhibition?

The Outdoor Wedding Dance by Pieter Brueghel the Younger

Thursday,  November 07, 2019            Madrid

As we headed east through the city center, we decided to stop at the Palacio de Gaviria, which was hosting a Brueghels exhibition. The paintings were fantastic and we ended up spending  almost 2 hours there.

This sign, outside of the Palacio, caught my eye and we decided to attend the exhibition

The palace setting was ideal for this exhibition  - soothing blue walls, rich wood paneling and multiple  mirrors

The Palace of Gaviria has two beautiful courtyards and a large chapel

Built in 1846, it now serves as a place for exhibitions and events

The Palacio is an eclectic building which was built in 1846 for a Marquis of the House of Gaviria. Historically, it was also known as the Palacio de Buena Esperanza (Good Hope). The Palace was inaugurated in 1851 at a ball presided over by Queen Isabella II.

Pieter Brueghel the Elder started a family dynasty of 4 generations of painters, including Pieter the Younger, Jan Brueghel the Elder and Jan the Younger.  They were educated Protestants that lived in the Low Countries.  Pieter the Elder was highly influenced by Hieronymus Bosch - and imitated his style in many etchings and paintings.  The exhibition said he was known in some circles as Bosch the Second.

An etching by Pieter the Elder, highly imitative of Bosch's fanciful style

A pen and charcoal drawing of 16th century agricultural life, with impressive windmills

River Landscape by Jan Brueghel the Elder

Vision of Saint Hubertus by Jan Brueghel the Younger

The Bird Trap by Pieter Brueghel the Younger

In addition to the peaceful winter and agricultural scenes, the floral still lifes were mesmerizing for their details.  It was amazing to come all the way to Spain to see a fantastic exhibition of a family of 16th and 17th century Dutch artists!

Floral masterpiece framed by the long hall and courtyard windows