MAPFRE Foundation’s 2026 Exhibitions: A Year of Artistic Discovery in Madrid & Barcelona – Urgent Breaking News
Madrid & Barcelona, December 19, 2025 – Art lovers, mark your calendars! The MAPFRE Foundation has just unveiled its breathtaking exhibition program for 2026, promising a year of immersive experiences across its venues in Madrid and Barcelona. This isn’t just a schedule; it’s a curated journey through diverse artistic visions, from the technical brilliance of late 19th-century painting to poignant explorations of modern life through photography. This is a major cultural event, and we’re bringing you the details first. For those following art world trends, this lineup signals a strong commitment to both established masters and emerging voices.
Swedish Grandeur & New York Streets: Painting & Photography Take Center Stage
The Madrid season kicks off with a double dose of artistic mastery. “Anders Zorn. Travel the world, remember the land” will showcase the work of the celebrated Swedish artist, renowned for his virtuosity and captivating depictions of the world around him. The retrospective, a collaboration with leading institutions like the Hamburger Kunsthalle, will trace Zorn’s evolution from his early watercolors to his travels through Spain, where he forged connections with Spanish masters Joaquin Sorolla and Ramon Casas. Alongside Zorn, visitors will encounter the intimate world captured by American photographer Helen Levitt. Her groundbreaking work, documenting urban life in New York City – particularly the spontaneous joy of children at play – will be presented in a monograph assembled from recently accessible archives. This is the first exhibition organized directly from Levitt’s archives, making it a truly special event.
American Visions: Avedon, Cartagena, and the Shifting Landscape of Photography
The photographic explorations continue in Madrid with a fascinating look at Richard Avedon’s lesser-known work. Moving beyond his iconic fashion photography, the exhibition “Richard Avedon – In the American West” reveals a powerful series of portraits of miners, cowboys, and others, starkly presented against white backgrounds to emphasize their character and resilience. This exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, offers a compelling counter-narrative to traditional depictions of the American West. Following Avedon, the Foundation will spotlight the work of Alejandro Cartagena, a Dominican artist based in Mexico. Cartagena’s work challenges conventional photographic approaches, favoring seriality and multiple perspectives to address complex social and environmental issues in Mexico. His series, including “Suburbia” and “Carpoolers,” promise a thought-provoking examination of contemporary life.
Pre-Raphaelite Women & The Avant-Garde’s “Other Shore” – Exploring Hidden Histories
The MAPFRE Foundation isn’t shying away from complex themes. “Pre-Raphaelism: female itineraries (1850-1914)” will shed light on the often-overlooked contributions of women artists within the Pre-Raphaelite movement, showcasing their paintings, watercolors, and other works alongside textiles and photography. Equally compelling is “The other shore of the avant-garde,” which delves into the fascinating connection between art created by psychiatric patients and the avant-garde movements of the 20th century. The exhibition draws on the pioneering collection of Hans Prinzhorn, exploring the influence of these works on artists like Paul Klee and Max Ernst, and the troubling appropriation of this art by the Nazi regime. Understanding this history is crucial for a complete understanding of modern art.
Barcelona’s 2026 Program: Evans, Siquier, and Recovered Photographic Treasures
Barcelona will welcome 2026 with “Walker Evans. Now and Then,” a comprehensive retrospective of the American photographer’s career, showcasing his iconic images alongside his books and publications. Alongside Evans, the Foundation will present “Pérez Siquier. MAPFRE Foundation Collections,” revisiting a popular exhibition from 2020 that was cut short by the pandemic. Summer in Barcelona will bring the work of Minor White, a pivotal figure in 20th-century American photography, and a remarkable rediscovery: the work of Joaquín Tusquets de Cabirol, an amateur photographer whose archive – comprising over a thousand prints and four thousand negatives – has been rescued from decades of obscurity. This recovery is a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to preserving photographic heritage.
The MAPFRE Foundation’s 2026 program isn’t just a series of exhibitions; it’s a vibrant conversation between artistic traditions, historical contexts, and contemporary perspectives. It’s a reminder of the power of art to challenge, inspire, and illuminate the human experience. Stay tuned to archyde.com for further updates and exclusive coverage as these exhibitions draw closer. For art enthusiasts and those seeking cultural enrichment, this is a year not to be missed.
