The Hispanic Society Museum & Library is pleased to present this outdoor installation of photographic reproductions of works found its unparalleled collections. This remarkable institution reflects the vision of its founder Archer Milton Huntington who had the unique insight to create a museum that focused on all aspects of the cultures of Spain and Latin America. Archer Huntington’s fascination with the subject started at the age of twelve; by fourteen he had begun to study the Spanish language; and by nineteen he had revealed his aspiration to found a “Spanish Museum.” He traveled extensively developing friendships with intellectuals and collectors as he became an exemplary scholar of the subject. As a result, it is not surprising that his institution boasts an outstanding collection. The exhibition on the terrace highlights some of its treasures in painting, ranging from Spanish Old Masters such as El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya to twentieth-century figures like Sorolla and masterpieces from Latin America by Arrieta, Campeche and Rodríguez Juárez, which attest to the visual splendors of those countries. But these masterpieces comprise only a part of the Hispanic Society’s rich holdings which also include major examples of sculpture and decorative arts while the library offers unrivaled resources for researchers interested in the history and culture of Spain, Portugal, and the Americas. Finally, the prints and photographs feature masterpieces by distinguished artists as well as offering an invaluable repository of images of a way of life now vanished.
Since its opening, the Hispanic Society has been committed to making the culture of the Hispanic world available to New Yorkers. As such, it reflects the pioneering vision of Huntington who not only championed this endeavor but wanted the entire plaza to become a cultural center open to all. In that spirit, while the Hispanic Society today renovates its buildings, we welcome our neighbors to programs that we hope will inspire everyone during these challenging times.
We take great pleasure in thanking members of the community for their support and enthusiasm for this project. We are especially grateful to the following individuals who volunteered their time and lent their voices for the audio recordings:
- Natalie Espino, Local Museum Enthusiast and Public Servant
- Niria Leyva-Gutierrez, Acting Executive Director, Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, y Profesor of Art History at Montclair State University
- Shiloh Holley, Executive Director, Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum
- Robert Osborne, Professional Bass-baritone and Adjunct Professor at Vassar College, Barnard College, Columbia University
- Elizabeth Lorris Ritter, Chair, Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee, Community Board 12
- Matthew Spady, Historian and Author of The Neighborhood Manhattan Forgot
- Peter Trippi, Editor in Chief, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine
- Cody Upton, Executive Director, American Academy of Arts and Letters
We also thank our neighbors at Boricua College for their collaboration, as well as Fernando Pérez Suescun, from the Museo Nacional del Prado for his wisdom and guidance with this project.
Admission is free.
Hours:
Monday through Saturday 11:00am – 5:00pm
Closed on Sunday
Exhibition is open rain or shine!
Personal headsets recommended to fully enjoy the audio component of the installation. Restrooms are not available.
Safety Protocol:
Face masks are required for all visitors older than age 2. Social distancing is required and enforced, and there is a one-way path through the exhibition.
This installation has been made possible by the Lorenzo Family Foundation and an anonymous donor.
