Hispanic Community

Looking Back to the Roots of the Hispanic Community through the Great Works of the Giants of Spanish Arts

The Nasher Museum of arts at Duke University located at Durham, North Carolina, has opened an art exhibition titled "El Greco to Velázquez: Art during the Reign of Philip III." This shows both Spanish masters in context with other accomplished painters of their time.

The exhibition has started last August 21 and will end on November 9, 2008. The exhibition is readily accessible to wide population, according to Juline Chevalier, curator of education at the Nasher, because of its bilingual presentation using Spanish and English language. English and Spanish version of its audio guide is provided in the exhibition. The Nasher also provides label text and text panels in Spanish language.The Nasher Museum states that the exhibition, "El Greco to Velázquez: Art during the Reign of Philip III," features 53 paintings which includes seven late works by El Greco, three works by Velázquez during his apprenticeship years and works by their contemporaries, lesser known but talented artists.

Sculptures and 50 pieces of glasses and ceramics are also featured in the exhibition.

The exhibition shows the grandiosity and sophistication of the Hispanic heritage.
“This is an opportunity to look at art that spoke to the roots of the Hispanic community," said Andrea Bazan, co-chairman of the El Greco advisory committee that the museum formed.

The exhibition features and reminisces the period (1598-1621) when Philip III was the ruler of Spain and when the Spain dominated the world. According to the Nasher Museum, this historical period of Spain--with its pageantry, religious passion, art patronage, fashions, political intrigue and literary accomplishments--rivals the eras of Elizabeth of England and King Louis XIV of France.