Joana Vasconcelos: Flamboyant

Flamboyant, the extravagant proposal by Joana Vasconcelos that is revolutionising the Liria Palace in Madrid
The House of Alba Foundation inaugurates Flamboyant: Joana Vasconcelos at the Liria Palace, a unique project in the history of the palace created by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, one of the most outstanding figures on the contemporary art scene. The exhibition, which runs from February 14 to July 31, marks the start of an ambitious programme of contemporary art sponsored by the Foundation to coincide with its 50th anniversary.

Internationally renowned for her sculptures and monumental installations, the Lisbon-based artist transforms the halls and gardens of Liria Palace and merges them with one of the world’s most distinguished private collections of historical art. Unlike the artist’s similar interventions in other palaces such as Versailles, the Uffizi in Florence or Ajuda in Lisbon, this is the first time that Joana Vasconcelos has brought her works to an inhabited palace.

The artist’s proposed exhibition at the Liria Palace opens a special dialogue not only between her works and those of great masters such as Velázquez, Goya or Tiziano, which are exhibited in its rooms, but also between her own personality and that of the Duke of Alba, present in every corner of this palace, which is also his home.

With this in mind, the artist has selected more than forty of her works and integrated them perfectly into the different spaces of the palace, some of which have never been visited before, such as the chapel, the music room and the gardens. “The Liria Palace is not a repository of history, but a living space that adjusts to contemporary contexts while preserving its essence”, says Vasconcelos, who is keen to establish a dialogue between contemporary art and the palace’s legacy.

The exhibition is organised by the House of Alba Foundation and Atelier Joana Vasconcelos, with the support of Madrid City Council and the Community of Madrid, the backing of Mastercard and the patronage of the House of Dior, which has been working closely with the artist for more than ten years, giving rise to collaborations such as J’Adore Miss Dior, which is on show at the exhibition, or her recent exhibition at the brand’s new boutique in the city of Lisbon.

A dialogue between past and present
The Liria Palace, which belongs to the House of Alba, dates from the 18th century and was largely built by the architect Ventura Rodríguez, making it one of the most important neoclassical palaces in Madrid. Since then it has been the residence of the Dukes of Berwick and Alba and in 2019 it opened its doors to the public to share its rich historical and artistic heritage with society.

Joana Vasconcelos’ artistic intervention in the palace spreads throughout its main halls and includes rooms not opened to visitors until now. “By showing my work in these spaces, I am inviting visitors to experience the palace as active participants in a transformative artistic dialogue”, explains the artist. “My installations seek to engage with the works of masters such as Velázquez and Goya, exploring how contemporary art can reinterpret their contributions and enrich our understanding of history”.

The Duke of Alba, Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, has a long tradition of patronage, as did his ancestors, who mingled with and sponsored the most prominent artists of their time, and he insists that it is “practically a duty to open the house to contemporary art with one of the world’s leading artists. In this intervention, the portraits of my ancestors, signed by great masters such as Goya, Tiziano, Rubens, Zuloaga and Madrazo, coexist with the surprising work of Joana Vasconcelos, bringing together the past and the present”.