Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza Hosts First Retrospective of Isabel Quintanilla

The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid presents the first retrospective dedicated to Isabel Quintanilla (Madrid, 1938 – Brunete, 2017), a key figure of the Spanish new realism movement. The exhibition, titled 'Il realismo intimo di Isabel Quintanilla,' runs from February 27 to June 2, 2024, featuring around 100 works including paintings and drawings. Many pieces come from German museums and collections, shown in Spain for the first time. Quintanilla's art focuses on intimate domestic objects, flowers, light, and memories, rendered with extreme realism that evokes emotion. Her father, a Republican army commander, was killed by the Franco regime. She studied art in Madrid and later moved to Rome with her husband, sculptor Francisco López Hernández, where she was inspired by ancient paintings, especially Pompeian frescoes. Quintanilla's work also carries a feminist commitment to achieving equal recognition for women artists in Spain. She was particularly appreciated in German art circles during the 1970s and 1980s. The museum offers guided tours and a curated music playlist to enhance the experience.