Zurbarán's range revealed in major National Gallery survey

An extensive exhibition at the National Gallery in London, running from 2 May to 23 August, presents a wide-ranging view of Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664), challenging the notion that he was merely a painter of solemn saints. Curated by Daniel Sobrino Ralston, the display features personal still-lifes, reconstructions of large altarpieces, and late devotional pieces. Among the highlights are two recently uncovered artworks, including Alcarraza on a Plate (c. 1650), indicating that Zurbarán and his son Juan created detailed studies that were later adapted into larger works. For the first time in nearly 175 years, the second tier of the altarpiece from the Charterhouse of Jerez de la Frontera is reconstructed, showcasing The Adoration of the Magi (1638–39) and The Circumcision (1639) from the Musée de Grenoble, alongside the Virgin of the Rosary with the Carthusians (1638–39) from the National Museum in Poznań. The exhibition also reassesses Zurbarán's later works, suggesting a purposeful transition to smaller, more intimate pieces for private chapels, rather than a decline in his artistry. It concludes with Crucified Christ with a Painter (c. 1650), interpreted as either a self-portrait or Saint Luke, highlighting the artist's self-awareness and the spiritual intent behind his work.