BILBAO.- A long-hidden gem of the Spanish Renaissance, "The Annunciation" (c. 1485-1490) by the influential painter Pedro Berruguete, is now captivating audiences at the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. The breathtaking artwork, virtually unseen for over a century, has been brought back to its original splendor thanks to a meticulous, months-long conservation effort under the 2024 Iberdrola-Museum Conservation and Restoration Program.


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The unveiling marks a significant moment for Spanish art history, offering a rare glimpse into a pivotal work by Berruguete, considered one of the most important artists of his era. "The Annunciation," a loan from the Arburua collection, underwent a complex restoration process from September 2024 to March 2025, orchestrated by a "dream team" of experts.

"This program's core mission is to safeguard the material integrity of artworks, ensuring these cultural treasures can be enjoyed by generations to come," stated a representative from the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. "The public dissemination of these results is equally vital."

The project brought together leading figures in art conservation. Renowned historian Pilar Silva Maroto, former Head of Conservation at the Prado Museum, delved into the painting's historical and stylistic context, publishing her findings in the Cuaderno del Museo 5. The hands-on restoration was expertly handled by Elisa Mora Sánchez, a former Prado restorer who meticulously treated the pictorial layers, and Mayte Camino Martín, a Prado frame restorer who brought the painting's opulent gilded elements back to their dazzling glory. The entire endeavor was coordinated by José Luis Merino Gorospe, Curator of Ancient Art at the Bilbao Museum.

A Glimpse into the Past, Reborn for the Future

Berruguete's "Annunciation" arrived at the museum in a delicate state. Preliminary technical studies revealed superficial cracks, flaking paint, evidence of past woodworm damage, scratches, and a dull, oxidized varnish layer that obscured its true colors. The restoration team painstakingly worked to consolidate the paint, clean the surface, and meticulously reintegrate missing areas, ensuring visual unity while respecting the artwork's history.

The gilded sections, a hallmark of Berruguete's Castilian style with their warm tones, subtle glazes for volume, and intricate burin work, also required extensive care. Previous restorations had obscured the artist's original virtuosity. The experts carefully cleaned away accumulated dirt and attenuated old retouchings, revealing the original brilliance and detailed craftsmanship of the gold.

A Master of Fusion: Italian Depth Meets Castilian Gold

Dating to a period after Berruguete's influential stay in Italy, "The Annunciation" masterfully blends the empirical perspective of the Italian Renaissance—evident in the architectural lines and tiled floor that create a sense of deep space—with the abundant use of gold characteristic of Castilian painting.

The scene depicts the Virgin Mary, clad in traditional red and blue, pausing her sacred reading to receive the divine message from the Archangel Gabriel, suspended weightlessly in the air. The dove of the Holy Spirit hovers above, while a rich golden tapestry adds solemnity to the palatial interior. Hints of Flemish art, perhaps influenced by Berruguete's studies in Urbino, can be seen in the intricate details of the angel's cloak, while Italianate columns and Castilian Gothic tracery on a bench further showcase the artist's unique synthesis of styles.

Pedro Berruguete, born around 1450 in Paredes de Nava, Palencia, was a visionary. His journey to Italy in the 1470s, possibly supported by powerful families like the Manriques or Mendozas, exposed him to the cutting edge of European art. He reconciled his Flemish training with Italian techniques, learning to depict the human figure with unprecedented volume and movement. Upon his return to Castile, he adapted his sophisticated style to local tastes, often incorporating the rich gold that patrons highly valued.

"The restoration has not only brought back the visual splendor of the piece but also recovered subtle details like the Virgin's halo and the rays from the Holy Spirit's dove," explains José Luis Merino Gorospe. "It has restored the spatial depth and chromatic elegance that define one of the Spanish Renaissance's greatest painters."

Visitors to the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum now have the unparalleled opportunity to witness "The Annunciation" in its reawakened glory, a testament to the enduring power of art and the vital work of conservation.



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