Prado Museum's 'Invitadas' Exhibition Critiques Historical Gender Discrimination in Spanish Art

The Museo del Prado in Madrid has opened 'Invitadas', an exhibition examining the historical marginalization of women in Spanish art, both as artists and as subjects. Originally scheduled for March 30, 2020, the show was postponed to autumn due to the pandemic. It features 130 works, mostly from the museum's own collections, many little-known, some never exhibited before, and several restored for the occasion. The title 'Invitadas' (Invited) alludes to the museum's past treatment of female artists as temporary guests. The exhibition is curated by Carlos Navarro, who also authored the accompanying catalogue. It is divided into two main sections with 17 thematic subsections. The first part explores how institutions shaped the depiction of women according to bourgeois moral codes, often reinforcing patriarchal values. The second part traces the careers of female artists, highlighting obstacles such as lack of academic training and relegation to copying or miniature painting. Notable figures include María Luisa de la Riva, who gained international prestige, and British photographer Jane Clifford, invited by the Prado to photograph 'El Tesoro del Delfín'. The exhibition also acknowledges the patronage of queens María Cristina de Borbón and Isabella II, who supported female artists. The show runs until March 14, 2021, at the Prado, Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 23, Madrid.