Museo del Prado Lecture Series Marks 400 Years of Christina of Sweden, the 'Minerva of the North'

Four lectures at the Museo Nacional del Prado's auditorium examine Christina of Sweden (1626–1689) through her ties to sculpture, Italian artists and Spain, marking four centuries since her birth. Tommaso Montanari of the Università per Stranieri di Siena opens the cycle on 21 October 2026 at 18:30 with a talk on Christina and Gian Lorenzo Bernini titled 'palabras, obras y omisiones.' David García Cueto of the Prado follows on 28 October 2026, addressing political strategy and artistic exchange during the brief idyll between Christina and Spain. Independent researcher Davide Lipari speaks on 4 November 2026 about sculptors and sculpture at her court after Bernini, and Manuel Arias Martínez of the Prado closes the programme on 11 January 2027 with 'Varia cristiniana,' on antiquity and sculpture in her universe. The series stresses her taste for the three-dimensional and her engagement with classical antiquity. Her sculpture collection reached Madrid in the 18th century through a purchase sponsored by Queen Isabel de Farnesio, linking her to the Prado. Though Christina never visited Spain, the organizers argue many bonds connect her to the country. Sessions are open to university students, researchers, professionals and the general public; tickets are issued at the box office from 18:00 on each date, entry is in person until capacity is reached, and no live stream is offered, though recordings will be published.