The King of Spain has seen some of the most elaborate modern art on show in his country – and his face was a picture.
As Felipe VI was shown an extravagantly decorated piano, he seemed rather unsure of the overall effect. He looked equally surprised, if not a little confused, by another installation featuring pink glass.
The pieces are part of a brand new display at the Liria Palace in Madrid, former home of one of the richest and most famous Spanish aristocrats of the 20th century.
The Duchess of Alba, who died in 2014, was known for her passion for the arts. Now, her fabulous residence has become the stage for an exhibition of work by Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos, who is displaying forty modern pieces to complement the extraordinary collection of classic art housed at the Liria.
The display, called Flamboyant, mixes modern works with Old Masters including Velázquez, Goya and Titian.
King Felipe was given a tour of the works by Joana Vasconcelos, starting with a set of cement sculptures of two lions which have been covered n crochet. One of her most famous pieces, Flaming Heart, stands in the palace chapel.
King Felipe later joined Joana Vasconcelos and the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Maslaska, inside a giant piece of art for a discussion.
The Liria Palace was built in the 18th century by James Fitz-James Stuart, Duke of Liria, and later passed to the House of Alba. It was largely rebuilt after the Spanish Civil War. Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, the Duchess of Alba, lived there for many years. She was one of the richest people in Spain and was in the Guinness Book of World Records for holding more titles than anyone else. She died in 2014.
The palace is now the home of two of her sons, Carlos and Fernando, and has been open to the public for tours since 2019.
The exhibition, Joana Vaconcelos, Flamboyant, runs until July 31st 2025.
