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Barcelona is a city that captivates with its gothic architecture, sandy beaches, and iconic buildings, but this April, it adds another jewel to its cultural crown – an impeccable museum exhibition that promises to be a feast for art fanatics.

Catalonia’s National Art Museum (MNAC) has something truly special in store, as it unveils a groundbreaking showcase of the works of the pioneering French painter Suzanne Valadon.

Even if you’re visiting Barcelona for other reasons, this exhibition is a must-see, for it marks the first time that Valadon’s art has graced Spanish soil.

Organized by the MNAC in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou-Metz and the Musée d’Arts de Nantes, the exhibition opened its doors on Friday, April 19, 2024, offering a rare and exclusive glimpse into the world of this trailblazing artist.

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Spanning 109 works, with around 30 pieces exclusive to the Barcelona show, this collaborative exhibition is a true masterpiece in itself.

 It not only celebrates Valadon’s artistic brilliance but also provides a retrospective and contextualized view of her remarkable career.

Suzanne Valadon (1865-1938), an emblematic figure of the bohemian society in Montmartre during the early 20th century, was a true Renaissance woman – a painter, draughtswoman, and printmaker who fearlessly explored all genres, from portraiture and nudes to still lifes and landscapes.

Her work challenged conventions and defied the male-dominated art world of her time, earning her a place among the most important and successful artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The exhibition presents more than 100 works, including 48 exclusives to Barcelona, showcasing Valadon’s oils on canvas and cardboard, drawings, prints, plaster, and bronze sculptures, as well as documentary material that offers a retrospective and contextualized view of her career.

This comprehensive display not only highlights Valadon’s contributions to the avant-garde Paris scene from 1910 to 1930 but also sheds light on the societal conquest by women of their status as artists during that era.

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Eduard Vallès, the director of collections at the MNAC, emphasizes the significance of Valadon’s groundbreaking approach, stating, “She was a great and free artist.

Almost no other female painter made portraits like her, with her naturalism and escaping the stereotyped masculine gaze.”

Adding depth to the exhibition is the inclusion of works by contemporary French and Catalan artists, such as Santiago Rusiñol, Ramon Casas, Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Degas, with whom Valadon shared close bonds.

This artistic dialogue not only showcases the richness of the art scene during that period but also highlights the multiple interactions that took place in avant-garde circles, shaping the path for women to assert their status as artists.

Despite her reputation and widespread acclaim, Valadon’s work has not been widely seen by the Catalan public, making this exhibition a rare and invaluable opportunity.

According to the organizers, this showcase is a chance to shed light on Valadon’s significant contributions and cement her place in the annals of art history.

For art enthusiasts in Barcelona, this exhibition promises an unparalleled journey through the life and works of Suzanne Valadon, a true pioneer who defied conventions and paved the way for future generations of female artists.

With the exhibition running until September, there’s ample time to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of her art and gain a deeper appreciation for her enduring legacy.