MADRID.- In 2024, the Reina Sofía Museum has significantly enriched its collection by acquiring 470 new works from 227 artists, both Spanish and international, amounting to an investment of nearly €8 million. This monumental expansion includes works by renowned Spanish artists such as Ángeles Santos, José Pérez Ocaña, Colita, Pilar Albarracín, Ana Laura Aláez, Carles Congost, Joan Morey, and Cristina Lucas. International contributions come from notable figures such as André Masson, Alice Rahon, Allan McCollum, Regina José Galindo, Miguel Ángel Rojas, and Yasumasa Morimura.

The museum and Spain's Ministry of Culture have placed a strong emphasis on acquiring works by women artists, with 56% of new acquisitions attributed to female creators. This deliberate focus reflects a commitment to addressing historical gender imbalances in art representation.

Methods of Acquisition

• The Reina Sofía’s collection grows through various avenues:

• Museum Acquisitions: Purchases funded by the museum itself or through donations.

• Ministry of Culture Contributions: Acquisitions made during events such as the ARCO art fair or through auctions approved by Spain’s Historical Heritage Valuation and Export Board.

• Donations and Loans: Contributions from private individuals and the Reina Sofía Museum Foundation.

Each acquisition undergoes rigorous vetting by the museum’s curators and the Permanent Commission of the museum's Royal Board of Trustees, adhering to strict administrative processes.

Addressing Gaps in the Collection

The museum has focused on acquiring works by contemporary Spanish artists whose contributions were underrepresented. Significant acquisitions include works by Joan Morey, Carles Congost, Ramon Guillén-Balmes, and Rubén Grilo. Special attention was given to women artists active since the 1980s, such as Pilar Albarracín, Elena Mendizábal, Alicia Framis, Cristina Lucas, and Susy Gómez.

To enrich narratives from the 1970s Transition period in Spain, the museum acquired sculptures by Sergi Aguilar, inflatables by Josep Ponsatí, and pop art pieces by Carme Aguadé. Key additions also include works by countercultural figures such as José Pérez Ocaña and Colita, whose series exhibited in Mexico’s Galeria Pecanis celebrates the Spanish exile community.

International and Ethnic Diversity

The museum’s recent acquisitions also highlight global and ethnic diversity. Works by Guinea-born Pocho Guimaraes and Afro-descendant Spanish artist Rubén H. Bermúdez emphasize the museum’s dedication to inclusivity. From Latin America, prominent artists such as Regina José Galindo (Guatemala), Ana Gallardo (Argentina), and Miguel Ángel Rojas (Colombia) contribute pieces addressing feminist perspectives, colonial histories, and social struggles.

Modernity and Historical Pieces

Among historical acquisitions, the museum secured three 1950s paintings by Helios Gómez and early works by modernist pioneers like Ángeles Santos. Santos’ Portrait of the Marquise of Alquibla (1928) stands out as a rare and erotically charged piece painted by the artist at the age of 17. Other notable modernist acquisitions include works by André Masson and Alice Rahon.

Significant Donations

This year, the museum received 159 donated works valued at approximately €2.7 million. Highlights include:

• Juana de Aizpuru Gallery: Donated works valued at €1.5 million, featuring Spanish artists from the 1990s and 2000s.

• Concha Jerez: A significant installation titled Identity of a Geographical Space (1983–1986).

• Yasumasa Morimura: 17 works donated by the artist himself.

• Juan Várez: Donated Fernando Bryce’s Vision of Western Painting (2002).

The museum’s library and documentation center have also expanded their archives, receiving nearly 4,000 items valued at €300,000, including significant contributions from Darío Villalba and José Manuel Costa.

Ministry of Culture Contributions

The Ministry of Culture allocated €1.13 million for 139 works by 85 artists. Notable pieces include:

• Historical Works: Los gallos rojos (1935) by André Masson and Incendio forestal (1946) by Alice Rahon.

• Women Artists: Pioneers such as Lola Bosshard and contemporary creators like Ana Laura Aláez and Sonia Navarro.

Key acquisitions include an installation by Allan McCollum featuring 90 drawings and a rare painting by Ángeles Santos, exemplifying the ministry’s dedication to enriching the museum’s historical narratives.

Reina Sofía Museum Foundation

The Foundation, a private cultural patronage entity, contributed 80 works valued at €2.75 million, with 89% coming from donations. Highlights include:

• Julie Mehretu: A painting from her series inspired by composer Julius Eastman.

• Latin American Art: Notable acquisitions include pieces by Brazilian artists Denilson Baniwa and J. Borges.

The foundation’s contributions, which exceed €27.5 million since its establishment, play a crucial role in advancing the museum’s mission.