Anna Bella Geiger Wins 2026 Velázquez Prize for Visual Arts
The 2026 Velázquez Prize for Visual Arts, valued at 100,000 euros, has been awarded to Brazilian artist Anna Bella Geiger. The jury commended her innovative approach and dedication to education, which has impacted numerous generations. Geiger, who has Polish-Jewish roots, played a pivotal role in the revitalization of Brazilian art during the late 20th century. Her diverse body of work encompasses painting, printmaking, photography, and installations, delving into abstraction and conceptual themes. She studied under Fayga Ostrower from 1949 to 1953 and later trained in New York with Hannah Levy-Deinhard. Noteworthy pieces include Brasil nativo/Brasil extranjero. Geiger takes over from Patricia Belli, the 2025 recipient, with the jury led by Ángeles Albert.
Key facts
- Anna Bella Geiger receives the 2026 Velázquez Prize for Visual Arts
- The prize is endowed with 100,000 euros
- The jury cited her permanent experimentation and pedagogical commitment
- Geiger studied with Fayga Ostrower from 1949 to 1953
- She traveled to New York in 1954 and married Pedro Geiger in 1956
- Her work is held by MoMA, Tate Modern, the V&A, the Centre Pompidou, the Reina Sofía and the MACBA
- La Casa Encendida organized her 2017 exhibition Geografía física y humana, curated by Estrella de Diego
- She succeeds Patricia Belli, the 2025 winner
- The jury was chaired by Ángeles Albert of the Ministry of Culture
Entities
Artists
- Anna Bella Geiger
- Fayga Ostrower
- Hannah Levy-Deinhard
- Pedro Geiger
- Vito Acconci
- Joseph Beuys
- Marcel Duchamp
- Estrella de Diego
- Patricia Belli
- Francesc Torres
- Marisa González
- Elda Cerrato
- Tania Bruguera
- Soledad Sevilla
- Joan Vila-Puig
- Fuensanta Nieto
- Bárbara Rodríguez Muñoz
- Juan Francisco Rueda
- Rosa María Castells
- Mabel Tapia
- Pablo Lafuente
- Ángeles Albert
- Henry Kahnweiler
- Joan Vila-Puig Morera
- Rosa María Castells González
- Pablo Lafuente Peña
- Diego Velázquez
Institutions
- Premio Velázquez de las Artes Plásticas
- Ministerio de Cultura
- New School for Social Research
- La Casa Encendida
- Fundación Montemadrid
- Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo
- Museo de la Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero
- Museum of Modern Art
- Tate Modern
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Centre Pompidou
- Museo Reina Sofía
- MACBA
- Funarte
- Aural
- Plataforma Assembleària d'Artistes de Catalunya
- Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
- Centro Botín
- Universidad de Málaga
- Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante
- Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro
- Bienal de São Paulo
- Bienal de Venecia
- Bienal de Estambul
- Plataforma Assembleària D'artistes de Catalunya
- MACA. Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante
- Museu de Arte Moderna do Río de Janeiro
- masdearte
- Premio Velázquez de Artes Plásticas
- Spanish Ministry of Culture
- LeJournaldesArts.fr
Locations
- Brazil
- New York
- United States
- Petrópolis
- São Paulo
- Venice
- Italy
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Spain
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- France
- Rio de Janeiro
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina
- Málaga
- Alicante
- Nicaragua
- Catalunya