Art Madrid'26 – NOVELS AND STORIES, MANOLO PRIETO

The covers of Manolo Prieto (1940-1957) in the National Museum of Decorative Arts

 

 

This Spanish painter and sketcher of Cadiz origin (1912-1991) began his career in Madrid around 1930, here he began to work as a draftsman and designer in various advertising agencies. A pioneer in the field of graphic design, he is known primarily for designing the "bull" of the Osborne campaign. This emblem happened to be related to the collective imagination of the towns of Spain. Along with this symbol, has also worked for brands as representative as Iberia, Renfe, Danone, Frigo, Nestlé, Santa Lucía or Trasmediterránea.

 

 

The covers of Manolo Prieto (1940-1957) in the National Museum of Decorative Arts

 

 

This exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Madrid pays homage to his entire career, with more than 200 works. Curated by Juan Aguilar and Emilio Gil, it offers a great number of activities that will be developed throughout this period. The influx is for public of all kinds, offering a great offer for the dissemination of the work of Prieto. "What tells Novels and Stories. The covers of Manolo Prieto (1940-1957) "brings the viewer to the artist's most unknown work.

 

 

The covers of Manolo Prieto (1940-1957) in the National Museum of Decorative Arts

 

 

The collection, belonging to the Dédalo publishing house, has 618 covers that comprise 17 years of pioneering compositional solutions for its time. Thanks to their contributions in graphic design many of the techniques with which they are counted today have been able to be edited and improved. The exhibition is not only composed of covers, but also includes sketches and proofs preserved by the Manolo Prieto Foundation.

 

 

 

The covers of Manolo Prieto (1940-1957) in the National Museum of Decorative Arts

 

 

His work is characterized by bringing great value to the field of research of the historical avant-garde rather than conforming to the advertising canons of his time. All a visionary who knew how to give his own voice to brands and make a gap in history. 

 

 

 

 


ART MADRID’ 26: 21 YEARS OF CONTEMPORARY ART


Discover all the information about the artists and galleries participating in the 21st edition of Art Madrid. The catalog features a curated selection of the works presented in this edition, along with the most relevant details of the event, making it an essential tool for engaging with the fair’s key figures and exploring the defining elements of today’s art scene.


In 2026, Art Madrid celebrates its 21st edition, further establishing itself as a leading event within Spain’s cultural sector. From March 4 to 8, the Galería de Cristal of the Palacio de Cibeles will once again become a meeting point for galleries, collectors, artists, and contemporary art enthusiasts.


Over the past twenty-one years, the fair has evolved into a dynamic and ever-expanding platform, fostering diversity in artistic languages, techniques, and discourses. In this edition, the Galleries Program brings together around 35 exhibitors from more than seven countries, offering a representative overview of the most recent developments in contemporary creation.


The Art Madrid ’26 catalog serves as a key publication for discovering the work of this edition’s galleries and artists —marked by experimentation and a plurality of perspectives— while also documenting the conceptual axes that shape the fair. As part of the Parallel Program, INHABITING THE EPHEMERAL: A Reflection on the “Species” of Spaces proposes a reflection on space, relationships, and shared experience, expanding the understanding of the fair beyond its commercial dimension and highlighting its cultural and experiential significance.


In addition, the catalog presents the initiatives that complete the program, such as the Open Booth dedicated to emerging creation, the Nebrija Space in collaboration with Nebrija University, the Performance Series “Open Infinite. What the Body Remembers,” the One Shot Collectors Program, and the Patronage Program, reaffirming the fair’s commitment to supporting, mediating, and accompanying contemporary art at every stage.

We invite you to discover more about Art Madrid ’26 through the catalog of its 21st edition — a publication that, beyond serving as documentary memory, becomes a cartography of the present artistic moment and an open door to new ways of inhabiting contemporary art.