Prado Unveils Rediscovered Spanish Gothic Master Bartolomé Bermejo

The Museo del Prado in Madrid presents a major monographic exhibition on Bartolomé de Cárdenas, known as El Bermejo (1445–1501), a Spanish Gothic painter rediscovered in the late 19th century. The show, organized with the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (which will host it in spring), features some fifty works, twenty-seven by the artist and the rest by pupils and collaborators, with loans from international and private collections. It opens with the extraordinary 'San Miguel' (1468) from the National Gallery, London. Bermejo, born in Córdoba, worked across Valencia, Zaragoza, Daroca, and Barcelona. Despite being a possible converso, he painted only religious subjects. His oil-on-panel technique, influenced by Flemish masters like van Eyck, Memling, and Van der Weyden, is noted for brilliant color, luminous metal reflections, elegant drapery, and meticulous naturalistic detail. The exhibition includes the recently restored 'Piedad Desplá' (1490) from Barcelona Cathedral, revealing an expressionist landscape and humanist references. Also on view is the 'Trittico della Vergine di Montserrat', where only the central panel is by Bermejo; the side panels are by the Osona brothers. The triptych was commissioned by Italian merchant Francesco della Chiesa and sent to Acqui Terme. Prado director Miguel Falomir emphasized that culture can build bridges and break down frontiers. The exhibition runs until January 27, 2019.