Goya Attribution Claimed for Madrid Auction Find, Prado Plans 2028 Show
A painting titled "El milagro de la aparición del eucaristo al San Pascual Bailón," acquired in 2018 at a Madrid auction, has sparked intrigue regarding its artist. Initially attributed to Francisco Bayeu, the buyer, Artur Ramon, raised doubts due to intricate stylistic elements. In pursuit of clarity, he sought expert evaluations and subsequently requested an export permit for Tefaf Maastricht. However, Spain's culture ministry rejected the application, proposing it might be a previously unknown work by Goya from around 1780. The Museo del Prado is set to feature the painting in a Goya exhibition in 2028, with a preview at Ramon’s gallery in October.
Key facts
- Artur Ramon bought the painting at a Madrid auction in 2018, when it was attributed to Francisco Bayeu.
- The painting depicts Saint Paschal Baylón, a Franciscan friar who died in 1592 and was canonised about a century later.
- Spain's culture ministry denied an export licence, stating the work appears to be an unknown Goya from around 1780.
- The Museo del Prado will include the painting in a 2028 exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of Goya's death.
- The exhibition, curated by Gudrun Maurer, will focus on Goya's religious themes, from devotional works to anticlerical critiques.
- José Manuel Matilla, the Prado's head of conservation for drawings and prints, said the exhibition preparation will allow study to confirm or correct the attribution.
- Xavier Bray, director of the Wallace Collection, described the work as 'fascinatingly on the fence' regarding Goya's authorship.
- The painting will be shown at the Artur Ramon Gallery in October as part of the gallery's 100th anniversary exhibition.
Entities
Artists
- Francisco de Goya
- Francisco Bayeu
- Artur Ramon
- Gudrun Maurer
- José Manuel Matilla
- Xavier Bray
- Saint Paschal Baylón
Institutions
- Museo del Prado
- Artur Ramon Gallery
- Spain's culture ministry
- Tefaf
- Wallace Collection
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Barcelona
- Maastricht
- Netherlands
- London
- United Kingdom