Flamboyant. Joana Vasconcelos in Liria Palace

In a departure from its more traditional programming, from 14 February to 31 August 2025, the Casa de Alba Foundation is hosting a unique exhibition at Liria Palace featuring the work of Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, one of the most prominent creators in the contemporary art scene.

For this exhibition, Joana Vasconcelos, internationally acclaimed for her monumental sculptures and installations, has transformed the rooms and gardens of Liria Palace. Her work engages with one of the world's most important private art collections, which includes pieces by the likes of Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, Titian, and Murillo.

This marks the first time the Lisbon-born artist has brought her works to a palace that is still in use, unlike her previous interventions in historical spaces such as the Palace of Versailles. This unique setting creates a special dialogue not only between her art and the palace but also between the artist herself and the Duke of Alba.

Visitors are greeted in the palace's first room by two imposing lions, Vigoroso and Poderoso, both crafted in hand-crocheted cotton. These figures, situated in the neoclassical entrance hall, serve as the starting point for a journey that unveils some of the palace's most intimate spaces, including the chapel, open to the public for the first time as part of this exhibition.

The grand Carmen chandelier hangs in the library, where the House of Alba keeps a handwritten letter by Prosper Mérimée, author of the novel that inspired Georges Bizet’s legendary opera of the same name. The presence of both pieces in the same room underscores the connection between contemporary art and the diverse artistic heritage found in Liria Palace.

The exhibition also features recent creations such as Valkyrie Thyra alongside more iconic pieces like Marilyn, offering a unique opportunity to explore the eclectic work of this international artist.

Image Credits:

• Carmen (2001), by Joana Vasconcelos © Luís Vasconcelos
• Royal Valkyrie (2012), by Joana Vasconcelos © Luís Vasconcelos
• Portrait of Joana Vasconcelos © Kenton Thatcher