Museo Nacional del Prado

November 3, 2004: Exchange program with the Museo del Prado decided

On November 3, 2004, the Nagasaki Museum Promotion Foundation (as it was known at the time) exchanged a memorandum with the Board of Trustees of the Museo del Prado in Spain, to promote friendly cooperation in areas such as the study of artworks and the exchange of specialists.

This memorandum was signed during the visit of the Nagasaki Prefecture European Museum Survey Delegation (October 29 – November 5, 2004). The delegation aimed to lay the groundwork for exchange and cultural relations with museums and cultural organizations in Spain and France, in preparation for the opening of the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, home to one of Japan’s foremost collections of Spanish art including the Suma Collection. As part of this visit, the delegation met with representatives of the Museo del Prado. The memorandum set forth the initiation of specific cooperative efforts, particularly in the exchange of specialists in fields such as research, conservation, education, and the adoption of new technologies related to artworks. Both parties agreed to foster collaboration across all areas related to museum activities.

January 23, 2008: Exchange agreement finalized

On January 23, 2008, Museum Director Koji Yoneda and Curator Yoko Fukumitsu visited the Museo Nacional del Prado and met with Deputy Director Gabriele Finaldi. During the meeting, they entrusted Mr. Finaldi with a personal letter from Chairman Kaneko to be delivered to Chairman Plácido Arango. They also held discussions regarding future exchanges between the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum and the Museo Nacional del Prado.
*All titles reflect positions held at the time.

Topics discussed:

Staff exchanges
Loans of works
Establishment of an area introducing the Museo del Prado
Expansion of Museo del Prado merchandise lineup

5th Anniversary Special Exhibition: El Greco’s Coronation of the Virgin from the Museo del Prado Collection

Dates: Fri., April 23 – Sun., October 24, 2010
*Due to the impact of the Iceland volcanic eruption, the exhibition actually opened on April 24.

To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum’s opening, a special exhibition was held featuring Coronation of the Virgin by El Greco (1541–1614), a Spanish painter highly regarded in Japan. The work was on loan from the Museo del Prado.

Exhibition: Spanish Golden Age Still Life Paintings from the Museo del Prado Collection –Mysteries of Bodegón

Dates: Thu., April 23 – Sun., July 26, 2015

In 17th-century Spain, still life painting developed uniquely alongside religious paintings and portraits. These still lifes are commonly known as bodegón. To mark the 10th anniversary of the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum’s opening, eight exceptional bodegón works were loaned from the Museo del Prado and featured in a special exhibition.