SANTANDER.- The Botín Center officially opened its doors yesterday to a significant new permanent exhibition, "Point and Counterpoint: 20th Century Masters in the Jaime Botín Collection." This highly anticipated display, born from the wishes of the late Jaime Botín and generously entrusted by his heirs, features 17 masterpieces that invite visitors to explore a rich dialogue between diverse artistic styles and movements.


🚀 See What Everyone's Reading! Explore Amazon's current bestsellers and find your next great read.


The exhibition, curated by María José Salazar, a distinguished expert in 20th-century art and a member of the Botín Foundation's Art Advisory Committee, brings together 14 pivotal artists. "These are works of very different styles that, although showing great differences among themselves, establish their unity in a splendid visual dialogue," explains Salazar. "The contrasts of tones, textures, and styles transmit deep emotions, achieving a unity that connects with the viewer despite their aesthetic and conceptual differences."


✨ Empower art news! Help ArtDaily continue its mission. Click to donate via PayPal or join our community on Patreon.


A Journey Through Modern and Post-War Art

The new gallery offers a captivating journey through two significant periods of art history: the avant-garde era and post-World War II art, where new modes of representation emerged. Visitors will encounter creations by influential Spanish artists such as Manolo Millares, Pablo Palazuelo, and Antoni Tàpies, whose works lean into material, expressionistic, or geometric abstraction. These pieces engage in a vibrant conversation with the luminous impressionism of Joaquín Sorolla, the cubism of María Blanchard and Juan Gris, the poetic vision of Joan Miró, the lyrical figuration of Pancho Cossío, the stark realism of José Gutiérrez Solana, the noucentisme of Isidre Nonell, and the neocubism of Daniel Vázquez Díaz.

Adding an international dimension, the exhibition also features works by some of the 20th century's most significant global artists. These include the new figuration of Francis Bacon, the vibrant Fauvism of Henri Matisse, and the profound expressionism of Mark Rothko.

Each artist, with their distinct voice and strong aesthetic personality, demonstrates their individual contribution to the collective and evolving process of art history.

The Legacy of Jaime Botín

The works on display are a testament to the vision and philanthropic spirit of Jaime Botín Sanz de Sautuola y García de los Ríos (1936-2024). A key figure in Spanish banking and a longtime patron and vice-president of the Botín Foundation, Botín was known for his cultured mind, forward-thinking ideas, and intellectual honesty. The collection, first ceded by him in 2018 and further by his heirs in 2024, reflects his commitment to enriching public access to art.

This collection traces a map of styles, sensibilities, and aesthetic ruptures through modern and contemporary art, exploring deeply personal and often revolutionary languages. It is a powerful display where avant-garde, lyricism, materiality, and emotion converge to form a diverse, intense, and profoundly human artistic landscape. These creations not only speak to their own time but continue to resonate with and challenge contemporary audiences.



Artdaily participates in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn commissions by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help us continue curating and sharing the art world’s latest news, stories, and resources with our readers.