Art Madrid'26 – THE FAUVES AND THE PASSION FOR THE COLOR

The dance, Henri Matisse. 1910

 

 

The MAPFRE Foundation presents this exhibition until January 29, 2017. This exhibition brings together more than one hundred works including painting, drawing, watercolor and ceramic pieces. This movement, famous for being the first great vanguard of S.XX, stands out for the exaltation and saturation of pure tones. He opened the debate on the importance of color independently in the configuration of the artistic work.

 

This group led by Henri Matisse, André Derain and Maurice de Vladiminck, stood out for their energy release and their particular treatment of freedom of expression. At the end of the decade of 1890 they were grouped in the workshops of Gustave Morear and Eugené Carrière and began to create this unique movement. Towards the beginning of the XX century it took shape and began to exhibit, the first was in Hall VII of the Salon d'Automme. After the first critics they adopted the name of "wild animals" (fauve in French).

 

 

Restaurant de la Machine à Bougival, Maurice de Vlaminck. 1905

 

 

Fauvism is characterized by being a heterogeneous current, born of the friendship of a group of young dreamers with a clear idea of ??the future. It barely lasted two years but left the foundations of an artistic claim that has been projected until our days. From here were born expressionism and cubism, this testimony has been strongly recorded in the exhibition of the MAPFRE Foundation. Curated by Maria Teresa Ocaña, this raises a chronological route sectioned in five parts.

 

 

Photo of the exhibition

 

 

The first part of Fauvism before Fauvism, makes a small dissertation about the group of formation of the current and shows that feeling of community that try to transmit the viewer. The second, the fauves are portrayed, show small self-portraits that were made to each other reflecting the perception they had of the group. The third part, acrobats of light, reflect those stays on the blue coast that served as inspiration and fit perfectly in that art of light and color. The fierceness of color, evidence the identity of the fauves, totally disconnected from the naturalistic description. And the last section sections that fork, it refers to the different trails that took the group from 1907.

 

 

Landscape near Chatou, André Derain. 1904

 

 

To conclude the exhibition there is a section dedicated to a group of ceramics that connect closely with the dialogue shown with the painting. A highly recommended visit for these gray winter days that need a color tone. Fauvism, is a claim for all types of public, do not miss this opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.