Art Madrid'26 – Bosch the 5th centenary exhibition

 

 

 

500 years ago died one of the most enigmatic, brilliant and fascinating figures in the history of art, Jeronimus van Aeken, born in Hertogenbosch (Netherlands), in his life he was known by the nickname Bosch (El Bosco for Spanish ).

 

 

Now, the most important museum in Spain, El Prado Museum, offers the largest exhibition of genius on the occasion of the V centenary of his death, an ambitious exhibition curated by Pilar Silva, Head of Department of Spanish Painting (1100-1500) and Flemish Painting, including works from the Albertina Museum and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Gallery in Washington, the Musée du Louvre in Paris, the Museale Polo Veneto Venice, or the Museum of Ancient Art of Lisbon. In total 65 works of art of which 25 have been attributed to Bosch, nine to his workshop, and the others to artists of the time.

 

 

 

 

 

Because of the complication of chronological order the life and work of the Dutch artist, the show is divided in 6 thematic sections: Childhood and Public Life of Christ, Saints, from Paradise to Hell, The Garden of Earthly Delights, The world and man: Pecados capital and secular works, and The Passion of the Christ. The sections cover from his first landscapes of his hometown and its beginnings with other Flemish painters of the time, until his influence on the art of the sixteenth century with the epilogue "After Bosch". An opportunity to enjoy exceptional pieces like the 'Triptych of the Temptations of San Antonio', the 'Adoration of the Magi', The Hay Wain and, of course, The Garden of Earthly Delights.

 

 

 

 

With "Bosch. The exhibition of the V centenary" we enjoy the essential themes that Bosch is in his paintings, mainly religious and allegorical. The latter full of symbolism and tradition of the time, of the virtues and vices of society around him.

 

 

 

 

The exhibition is also necessary from the perspective of the specialist as it helps to reveal numerous questions about its referrals, especially the analysis of their catalog and chronology work. In addition, the Prado Museum, a pioneer in the technical study painting Bosco, has reanalyzed their works making use of the latest developments. Visitors to the exhibition can see some of the results of this study with infrared reflectography and radiography of The Garden of Earthly Delights, allowing verify the creative process of the work, with the surprising changes that the artist made since he started the underlying drawing until concluded the pictorial surface.

 

In addition, the great program organized around the exhibition includes a sensory journey through the triptych "The Garden of Earthly Delights".


 

The 22nd edition of Art Madrid opens its application period. From 3 to 7 March 2027, the Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles will once again become the meeting point for national and international contemporary art. Galleries interested in taking part can submit their application until 20 October 2026.



Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Aerial view.

The Art Madrid contemporary art fair

Art Madrid takes place each year as part of Madrid Art Week, the moment in the Spanish art calendar with the highest concentration of collectors, institutions and specialist press. With 22 years of history, the fair brings together national and international galleries with a programme focused on recently produced contemporary work.


Located at the Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles, in the cultural heart of the city and steps away from the Triángulo del Arte and the Paseo del Prado, Art Madrid offers participating galleries a distinctive and recognisable setting within the Spanish art fair landscape.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Entrance.

Art Madrid'26 in figures

The previous edition closed with 35 galleries from 7 countries (Spain, Portugal, France, Denmark, Taiwan, South Korea and Cuba), over 200 artists and around 20,000 visitors. 35% of the audience were new collectors, with an age range between 35 and 60 and a gender split of 55% women and 45% men.


The fair welcomed representatives from more than 30 foundations, museums and collections, including Fundación Mapfre, Fundación BBVA, Fundación Telefónica, Fundación Banco Santander, Fundación Bertelsmann, Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, Fundación Carmen y Lluís Bassat, Fundación Studiolo, Fundació Lluís Coromina, IVAM, MARCO, CAAM, MEIAC and the Museo del Romanticismo. Delegations from Madrid City Council, the Community of Madrid, the Ministry of Culture and ambassadors from several countries also attended.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Fundación Studiolo Acquisition Award.

PROGRAMMES

GALLERIES PROGRAMME

In each edition, Art Madrid brings together a carefully curated selection of around 35 national and international galleries with proposals focused on recently produced contemporary work.


ONE SHOT COLLECTORS PROGRAMME

Sponsored by One Shot Hotels and led by Ana Suárez Gisbert (art advisor specialising in international law and the art trade, art appraiser and court expert), the Collectors Programme connects new and experienced buyers with the participating works and galleries through a personalised advisory service throughout the five days of the fair.


For galleries, it operates as an additional channel for engaging active buyers, running in parallel to their own commercial activity.


PATRONAGE PROGRAMME

Art Madrid partners with institutions, collectors and private companies to directly support artists and galleries through awards and acquisitions. At the 2026 edition:


  • One Shot Hotels Breakthrough Artist Award (€1,000): Joost Vandebrug · KANT Gallery (Copenhagen–Palma)
  • Cervezas Alhambra Emerging Artist Award (€1,000): Iyán Castaño · Galería Arancha Osoro (Oviedo)
  • Colección Studiolo Acquisition: Roger Sanguino · DDR Art Gallery (Madrid)
  • Colección E2IN2 Acquisition: Albert Bonet · Inéditad Gallery (Barcelona)
  • Devesa Law Acquisition: Kim Han Ki · Banditrazos Gallery (Seoul)
  • Colección dn2 Acquisition: Iván Baizán · Galería Arancha Osoro (Oviedo)

Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Devesa Law Acquisition Award.


PARALLEL PROGRAMME AND ON-SITE ACTIVITIES

Throughout February, Art Madrid runs a Parallel Programme of series, talks and projects that extend the dialogue beyond the fair venue.


During the five days of the fair, alongside the galleries' exhibition programme, on-site activities include the Open Booth, the Performance Series and Readings: Curated Tours.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. View of Daniel Barrio's Open Booth.


Communication and reach

The Art Madrid'26 communications campaign reached 17 million people across online and offline media: print press, radio, exclusive catalogue, web, newsletter, social media and virtual 360° tour. Coverage included general and specialist national and international media, with appearances on RTVE, TeleMadrid, Onda Madrid, Onda Cero, COPE, El Mundo, ABC, Vogue, TimeOut and Elle, among others.


All participating galleries and artists feature on the Art Madrid website during and after the fair, with their own profile, images of works and contact details.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Aerial view.


KEY INFORMATION:

Galleries interested in taking part in the 22nd edition of Art Madrid can submit their application through the online registration form available on the website until 20 October 2026.



For any queries, please write to info@art-madrid.com or call +34 91 535 87 11.