London’s major museums are currently hosting two unique exhibitions that focus on Catholic culture. The Victoria and Albert Museum’s exhibition, titled “Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance,”
is the first U.K. exhibition to highlight the works of the 14th-century Italian Renaissance pioneer, Donatello. Meanwhile, the Royal Academy of the Arts is showcasing “Spain and the Hispanic World,” which explores the art of Spain and its former colonies in the New World.
The Victoria and Albert Museum is known for its offbeat blockbuster exhibitions, such as “A Brief History of Underwear” and “Fashioning Masculinities”. Tackling Renaissance sculpture is unusual for the museum, but it has received enthusiastic support from its founders, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The exhibition features life-size sculptures by Donatello and his contemporaries, with the bronze David and a life-size bronze crucifix taking center stage. Many of the works are decidedly Catholic, and most would be more appropriate in their original sacred setting.
The “Spain and the Hispanic World” exhibition at the Royal Academy of the Arts showcases over 2,000 years of Spanish art history. The exhibition explores the Arab conquest of Spain, the emergence of Christian art in the early centuries A.D., and the hybrid of Christian and Muslim art that followed. From the time of the Reconquest, Spanish rulers made a concerted effort to promote Catholicism, which is reflected in the profound power and mysticism of many of the works on display. The exhibition also includes secular interludes, such as works by the ever-popular Francisco Goya.
The Donatello exhibition is a must-see for art enthusiasts who appreciate the naturalism and perspective in Renaissance sculpture. Visitors are greeted by Donatello’s first work, the fully clothed version of David in marble, which was created when the artist was only 22 years old. The exhibition features 150 works by Donatello and his contemporaries, with the Madonna and Child and numerous saints taking center stage. The Pazzi Madonna, an early exercise in perspective, showcases the tender side of Catholic art.
The “Spain and the Hispanic World” exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Spanish art history. The exhibition features numerous works of profound power and mysticism that reflect the concerted efforts of Spanish rulers to promote Catholicism. Francisco Goya’s works provide a secular interlude in the exhibition, while the other half of the exhibition highlights the art of Spain’s former colonies in the New World.
Both exhibitions offer a unique perspective on Catholic culture and art history. While the Donatello exhibition focuses on Renaissance sculpture, the “Spain and the Hispanic World” exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Spanish art history. Visitors to London should take advantage of the opportunity to see these exhibitions, which are sure to provide a new appreciation for the power and beauty of Catholic art. Photo by Ollios, Wikimedia commons.