Exhibitions
Pedro Orrente: Biblical Naturalism in Spanish Baroque Painting at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia
A unique opportunity to delve into the universe of one of the great masters of the Golden Age. The exhibition dedicated to Pedro Orrente offers visitors a journey that combines the sensitivity of restoration with the richness of historical contextualization, showcasing everything from intimate drawings to monumental works that reveal the full magnitude of his artistic legacy.
The exhibition entitled Pedro Orrente. An Itinerant Artist in Golden Age Spain , which will be on view at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia until July 12th, curated by José Redondo Cuesta, is the first monographic exhibition dedicated to the painter Pedro Orrente (Murcia, 1580 - Valencia, 1645). Orrente's pictorial language is a personal synthesis of multiple aesthetic influences from diverse traditions, movements, and masters. Within this heterogeneous universe, Venetian painting remains the fundamental pillar of his work, especially due to its connection and artistic debt to the Bassano family.
Comprising 56 works, 46 of them by Orrente and the other 10 by artists such as El Greco, Paolo Veronese, and the Ribalta brothers, the exhibition is organized into seven sections that guide visitors from the influences that shaped Orrente to his creative processes and drawing techniques. The exhibition also includes a selection of fifteen drawings and sketches, mostly from the National Library, some of which are displayed alongside the final paintings to reveal his working method and creative process.
Pedro Orrente is considered one of the great painters of the Spanish Baroque, especially recognized for his ability to integrate naturalism with religious themes. His work reflects a profound influence of Venetian art, especially the painters Ticià, Tintoretto, and, above all, Bassano, whom Orrente met during his stay in Italy. This influence is evident in the use of warm colors and the inclusion of animals and everyday elements within sacred scenes.
The subject matter of his painting revolves primarily around the Bible, with scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Orrente gives landscapes a central role, transforming them into narrative settings full of realism. His paintings often feature herds, shepherds, and animals, creating a connection between everyday life and sacred life. The use of chiaroscuro and the dramatization of scenes add depth and expressiveness, combining naturalism with elements close to tenebrism. The majority of his work was intended for convents and churches in cities such as Valencia, Toledo, and Madrid, helping to spread an innovative style within 17th-century Spanish religious painting.
