Industry News

The Spanish Gallery, an art gallery in Bishop Auckland, is hosting a one-off lecture with special guest Dr Lucy West, a curator from Dulwich Picture Gallery, to celebrate the loan of an important Spanish painting. 

Hung at The Spanish Gallery owned and managed by The Auckland Project, a regeneration organisation for the County Durham town, Prince Baltasar Carlos on Horseback, by the workshop of Diego Velázquez (1599-1660), is on loan to the unique museum from the Dulwich Picture Gallery. 

In her lecture on Thursday 27^th March from 6pm – 8:30pm, Dr West will explore the moment the painting was first loaned out by the gallery almost two hundred years ago in 1829, where it was lent to the Royal Academy in London to help students with their studies. 

She will also discuss how artists at the Royal Academy and in South East London, where Dulwich Picture Gallery is situated, ‘translated’ Spanish art for the British art world and beyond. 

Clare Baron, Head of Curatorial at The Auckland Project, said: “We’re delighted that Dr West is joining us in Bishop Auckland for this talk. Through the generosity of Dulwich Picture Gallery, together with other lending institutions across the country, we are able to present significant paintings such as the portrait of Prince Baltasar in the North East, enabling new audiences to see these masterpieces on their doorstep.  

 “I couldn’t think of a better location to host the lecture, given that the mission of the Spanish Gallery is to bring Spanish art and culture closer to enthusiasts.” 

The Spanish Gallery is inspired by Francisco de Zurbarán’s series of Spanish masterpieces, Jacob and His Twelve Sons, which have hung in Auckland Palace for over 250 years. Opening with Zurbarán’s Benjamin, the only work from the series not originally bought in 1756 by Bishop Trevor, the Spanish Gallery tells the story of these masterpieces’ journey from Spain to England nearly 300 years ago. 

The world-class gallery opened in 2021 and is spread across four floors, housed in two stunning Grade II listed buildings located in the heart of Bishop Auckland’s Market Place. 

Dr Lucy West from Dulwich Picture Gallery, added: “Here at Dulwich Picture Gallery, we are passionate about sharing great art, and what better way to do that than through our loans programme. The loan of Prince Baltasar on Horseback to the Spanish Gallery places fresh eyes on this historic painting and, through my lecture, I am delighted to have the opportunity to share some of our new research.” 

Tickets to the lecture are £10, or £8 for friends of The Auckland Project. The ticket also includes the opportunity to visit the gallery after hours.