The complete works of Diego Velázquez * FULL

BOOK NOW for an unforgettable afternoon as arts historian Karla Ingleton Darocas, BA (Hons) takes you on a journey through the complete works of Diego Velázquez, the Spanish master who revolutionized art and redefined portraiture. 

With her unique insights and passion, Karla will reveal the stories, secrets, and significance behind Velázquez’s masterpieces, from the grandeur of the Spanish court to the humanity of his everyday subjects. 

Whether you’re an art lover or simply curious, this talk will leave you inspired and amazed by one of history’s greatest painters. 

Don’t miss this chance to see Velázquez like never before!

Discover Heavenly Splendor: The Main Altar and Ribbed Vaulting of Albarracín Cathedral

Happily spending eternity is the medieval town of Albarracín, and the Cathedral of El Salvador that stands as a testament to centuries of devotion, artistry, and architectural ingenuity. Among its many treasures, the main altar and the intricate ribbed vaulting above it are particularly captivating, embodying the spiritual and aesthetic ideals of their time.  

The Autumn Beauty of the Crystal Palace in Retiro Park, Madrid

As the golden hues of autumn sweep across Madrid, few locations capture the season’s enchanting charm quite like the Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal) in Retiro Park. Nestled within this verdant urban oasis, the palace stands as a shimmering beacon of architectural brilliance, framed by the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the season. Autumn transforms the park into a living painting, and the Crystal Palace becomes its dazzling centerpiece.  

THE VELVET TOILET: A Peculiar Treasure at the Museum of Romanticism

The Museum of Romanticism in Madrid, housed in a former private palace from 1776, immerses visitors in the art and culture of Spain's 19th century. While not one of Queen Isabel II's residences, the museum displays items from her era, offering a glimpse into the aesthetic and lifestyle of the Romantic period. 

A Mother's Love by Antonio Muñoz Degrain

Without cameras to document disasters as we do today, artists were the ones who captured the depth of human tragedy through their work. Romantic painter Antonio Muñoz Degrain created Mother’s Love to vividly pull at our heartstrings. Painted between 1912 and 1913, this sizable oil on canvas (204 x 160.5 cm) was donated by the artist himself to the Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia in 1913.

MADRID

Immerse yourself in a fascinating slideshow tour of Madrid's most iconic neoclassical landmarks. With Karla as your guide, explore the timeless beauty of Spain’s capital through its grand buildings and monuments. Discover the stories and royal inspirations behind these architectural treasures that continue to define Madrid today.

Inspirational Talk by Fine Arts Historian Karla Darocas, B. A (Hons)  (KarlaDarocas.com)

King Carlos III came to the Spanish crown after spending much of his adult life in Naples, Italy, and was therefore heavily influenced by the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. He carried out a series of urban reforms in Madrid, ranging from public lighting to the paving of the streets. These reforms of the capital also had an aesthetic significance. His aim was to bring the capital of Spain, Madrid, up to the aesthetic level of other European cities such as Paris or Saint Petersburg.

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APPRECIATE ART & CULTURE * LOVE SPAIN
Resource Books written by
Karla Ingleton Darocas 
and published by
SpainLifestyle.com 

* CLICK  HERE *

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GOYA KNEW THE SECRET TO THE WITCHES FLIGHT

Since Halloween and the Day of the Dead are very close to each other, who better to take up the theme of witches' flight than Francisco Goya. Traditionally, witches were believed to use a broom to move through the air and assist the coven in places far from their usual haunts. 

The women accused of witchcraft were women who took care of the home: wives, midwives, servants, etc. And what do these people have in common? A broom! It stands to reason that the broom was a representation of women and thus became the witches' tool. 

Goya, who knew the aspects of witchcraft well, captured the moment when an old witch initiates a young woman into these practises. But he also knew that it was not the broom that gave the witches their flying abilities. 

* Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas. Hons. B. A.  (KarlaDarocas.com)

Did You Know... Spain has a lot to do with the perceptions and fears that continue today about witches and their crafts?

 Yes, indeed it is true!

In 1610, the infamous "Quema de brujas en Logroño" (Burning of the Witches in Logroño) witch trials took place, and a local printer, Juan de Mongastón, published a pamphlet chronicling the events. This document detailed the trial and condemnation of 53 people accused of witchcraft, along with five skeletons and five effigies, creating a vivid picture of witchcraft and its supposed dangers.

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THE UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF GOYA'S MISSING SKULL

THE ENIGMA

Dionisio Fierros (1827-1894) was a Spanish Romantic painter who painted a “Vanitas”, an allegorical still life, for the Marquis of San Adrián of Navarre in 1849. 

It was not a very robust work of art, especially in an era of great romanticism and drama. 

It was a traditional "vanitas" with a skull, which was the most common symbol of the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death. It was a human skull, depicted in a three-quarter view, and it had no jaw. It rested on a green carpet. The skull had many dental defects. The colour used was a roasted yellow. 

It would have been a rather boring 44 x 37 cm oil painting on canvas if it had not had three words written in sepia ink on the back of the wooden frame: "Skull of Goya".

Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas (KarlaDarocas.com) (c) SpainLifestyle.com