Cayetana: Grandee of Spain

The exhibition dedicated to Doña Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba, will be on display at the Palacio de Liria from 1 October to 31 January. This exhibition highlights her extraordinary contribution to the conservation of the immense historical and artistic legacy of the House of Alba.

Following its successful run at the Palacio de Las Dueñas in Seville, Cayetana: Grandee of Spain arrives in Madrid this autumn with a new itinerary, adapted to the rooms of the 18th Duchess of Alba's Madrid residence. As well as celebrating the centenary of her birth, the exhibition commemorates the 70th anniversary of the monumental restoration of the Palacio de Liria in a new section.

The exhibition, curated by Eugenia Martínez de Irujo and Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz alongside the team from the Fundación Casa de Alba, is the result of more than three years of research by its curators. Organised to mark the centenary of the birth of the 18th Duchess of Alba, it brings together a carefully chosen selection of over 200 pieces, including works of art, haute couture dresses, photographs, personal objects and correspondence.

Visitors will be able to take a journey through the life of the Duchess who has had the greatest influence on the recent history of the House of Alba. Through various thematic sections, the tour explores her biography, her contributions to the field of culture through the patronage of important artists, her support for the fine arts and opera, and her role as a collector and painter. The exhibition also sheds light on lesser-known aspects of her life, such as her early work in defence of animals, her charitable activities and her steadfast social commitment.

The new section dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the monumental restoration of the Palacio de Liria highlights the great work carried out by the Duchess of Alba and her husband, Duke Luis, to preserve the heritage legacy of the House of Alba, featuring previously unseen photographic and documentary material.

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