GOYA: THE COMPLETE ETCHINGS
EXHIBITION OPENS WITH A MAGICAL CEREMONY
~Goya: Engravings from the Caixanova Collection runs from Sept. 21 through Nov. 9~
Miami, Sept. 21, 2007 – In a beautiful hall at the Historic Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College (MDC), Miami Mayor Manny Diaz joined MDC President Dr. Eduardo Padrón and Julio Fernandez Gayoso, president of Caixanova Bank, at a ribbon-cutting and opening reception for Goya: The Engravings of the Caixanova Collection. Hundreds of art lovers and community leaders alike poured into the landmark at Miami Dade College on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 20 for a chance to see art by one of history’s greatest masters.
The rare collection, being shown for the first time in the United States, consists of 218 etchings by legendary Spanish artist Francisco de Goya y Lucientes.
“This is a key exhibition for emerging artists,” said Jorge Luis Gutierrez, co-curator of the exhibition and the director of the MDC Art Gallery System. “Goya was more concerned with content and message than technique and these etchings and the themes they illustrate and Goya’s uncompromising portrayal of them will resonate with the many visitors we expect to visit this exhibition.”
More than 100,000 people in the Sao Paolo Museum of Art, Brazil saw the exhibition. The four series include: The Caprices (Los Caprichos) 1799; The Disasters of War, (Los Desastres de la Guerra) 1810-1814; The Bullfighting (Tauromaquia) 1814-1816; and The Foolishness (Los Disparates o Los Proverbios) 1819-1823. A full-length catalogue of the exhibition in English and Spanish is available.
Goya has been recognized by many as the last of the old masters and the first of the moderns. He revolutionized the world of art at the turn of the 19th century by breaking away from traditional aesthetic values, creating new approaches while highlighting social issues. Many experts and historians have likened his style and approach to photojournalism in that he worked to capture the social issues and challenges of his day through his work.
The Goya exhibition is a joint effort by Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo J. Padron, Julio Fernandez Gayoso President of Caixanova, the Spanish bank that has so generously offered its collection to the people of Miami and the Office of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz. The exhibit is also supported by the Spanish Department of External Affairs and Cooperation, the Consulate of Spain in Miami and the Centro Cultural Español. In addition, the organizers thank the Martin family and Terra Group for donating the Freedom Tower to Miami Dade College,
The exhibition is free and will remain open to the public through Friday, Nov. 9. Hours of operation will be noon to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Guided tours, conferences, film series and concerts related to the art and life of Goya will take place during the time of the exhibition at the Freedom Tower and other venues throughout the city to be announced.
For more information about the exhibition and for a complete listings of programs contact: MDC Art Gallery System 305- 237-7186.
Media-only contacts: Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu; Beverly C. Rodrigues, MDC media relations director, 305-237-3949, brodrigu@mdc.edu or Juan Mendieta, MDC communications director, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu.