LAUSANNE.- The Fondation de l’Hermitage in Lausanne is organizing a major exhibition devoted to Spanish art at the dawn of the 20th century. Focusing on painters of “The Generation of 1898” who emerged from the severe upheavals endured by Spain throughout the 19th century, the exhibition highlights how these artists evolved. Oscillating between respect for Hispanic traditions and modernity, their works were part of the contemporary surge to broaden horizons that arose among the Spanish avant-garde.

Although it is extraordinarily rich and varied, Spanish art at the dawning of the 20th century is still relatively little known outside Spain. And yet the year between Goya’s death and Picasso’s Cubist period span several fascinating decades which bore the first fruits of Spanish modern art.

With this exhibition, the Fondation de l’Hermitage offers its visitors the opportunity of discovering some of Spain’s hidden treasures, many of which will be seen in Switzerland for the first time. With some one hundred paintings, the event bringings together the most significant artists of the time (Anglada, Beruete, Casas, Mir, Picasso, Pinazo, Regoyos, Rusiñol, Sorolla, Zuloaga). The vast majority of works are from public Spanish museums (the Prado, the Sorolla Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Valencia Fine Arts Museum), as well as from private Spanish collections. Some major paintings from the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Rodin will complete this rigorous selection of exceptional works.

Exhibition is on view from 27 JANUARY TO 29 MAY, 2011.