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Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado
Beck Building, Second Floor
5601 Main Street
About the exhibition
► Haga clic aquí para información en español sobre esta exposición.
The MFAH presents more than 100 masterworks from one of the world’s most renowned collections of European painting. Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado comes to Houston on exclusive U.S. loan as part of a new initiative by the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid to broaden access to its holdings.
The exhibition tells the story of the evolution of painting in Spain from the 16th through 19th centuries and explores how artists reflected the sweeping changes in society, culture, politics, and religion that contributed to the development of a modern Spanish identity. Masterpieces by the leading painters of the day from each of the four centuries are included, with works by Francisco de Goya, El Greco, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and Diego Velázquez. Artists who worked for the royal court and directly influenced the development of painting in Spain are also well represented, with superb paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, and Titian. Portrait of Spain opens at the MFAH following the premiere at the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane, Australia, the first stop on this two-venue tour.
The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue, available through The MFAH Shop.
► For more, watch this brief behind-the-scenes video.
Tickets
Admission to this exhibition requires a timed-entry ticket, which also provides general admission to the museum. MFAH Members receive free tickets based on level of membership. For the general public, tickets are $18 for adults; $15 for senior adults (65 and older), students with valid ID, and youth ages 6 to 18. Reduced-rate tickets are available on Thursday, in accordance with the Free Thursday program sponsored by Shell. Audio guides are available at the rate of $5 for adults and senior adults (65 and older); $4 for youth ages 6 to 18; and $3 for MFAH Members.
All tickets are available here.
Groups
Groups of 10 or more may arrange for a visit or tour during museum hours. Evening packages—which include a tour and reception for up to 50 individuals—are also available. Please contact the group sales office at 713.639.7878.
MFAH Members
Free tickets based on level of membership:
| Membership Level | Complimentary Admissions |
| Student | 1 |
| Individual | 1 |
| Dual | 2 |
| Family |
2 adult admissions; admission for children 18 & under living in the same household |
| Patron | 4 |
| Supporting | 4 |
| Sponsor | 6 |
| Benefactor | 6 |
| Leadership Circle | unlimited admissions |
This exhibition is organized by the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, in association with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. An indemnity has been granted by the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
Presented by BBVA Compass and BBVA Compass Foundation.
Lead foundation underwriting is provided by The Hamill Foundation.
Additional generous support is provided by:
Kinder Foundation
Margaret Alkek Williams
Isla and Tommy Reckling
REPSOL USA
Ann G. Trammell
SPAIN-USA Foundation
Education programs for this exhibition are made possible by the Favrot Fund.