MADRID.- The Prado Museum is giving its most iconic space a fresh look, swapping its signature grayish-green walls for a deep blue that museum officials say will make masterpieces by Titian, Rubens, and others truly pop.

Starting tomorrow, the museum will begin a six-week renovation of its famous Central Gallery, the historic heart of the institution for over two centuries. The decision follows a successful trial run during a recent exhibition on El Greco, where a similar blue backdrop was used to dramatic effect. Museum director Miguel Falomir said the new color will create a "vibrant contrast" with the Italian and Spanish collections while also restoring a sense of the gallery's architectural grandeur.

The choice of blue isn't arbitrary; it’s a color with a strong presence in art history, famously used by Spanish masters like Velázquez and Murillo. The museum had been experimenting with different shades for months before the El Greco show helped make the final choice an easy one.

To minimize disruption, the renovation will be completed in two phases. Visitors will still be able to navigate the museum and see its most famous works while the technical team works on one section at a time. This latest change is part of a long tradition of updates to the gallery, which has seen numerous overhauls throughout its history, from the installation of a concrete vault in the 1920s to the addition of climate control in the 1980s.

With this latest update, the Prado is reaffirming its commitment to keeping its timeless collection in an engaging dialogue with the present. The blue walls will serve as a bold, new stage for some of the world's most treasured art.