Bilbao Fine Arts Museum Reopens with Plácido Arango Tribute and Foster Expansion

Following a €48 million expansion led by Norman Foster and Luis María Uriarte, the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao is set to reopen, adding 6,000 square meters and renovating an additional 8,000 square meters. The Agravitas project includes a new 2,500-square-meter gallery and the Atrio Arriaga, which will feature a sculpture by Richard Serra, donated by the children of Plácido Arango. The exhibition La búsqueda del comienzo pays tribute to Arango, who served as president of the Real Patronato del Museo del Prado from 2007 to 2012, and will display over 100 pieces from the Colección Arango until 2030. Significant loans include works by Veronese, Sánchez Cotán, Velázquez, and Gego. The museum also introduced the Cátedra Arango, beginning with a master class by Keith Christiansen, with nearly 70% of the collection sourced from donations.