Rauschenberg: Express. In and Out of the Studio

The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum will host the Rauschenberg: Express. In and Out of the Studio exhibition from 3 February to 24 May 2026 to mark the centenary of the birth of Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008). Organised with the support of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the exhibition revolves around Express (1963), one of the American artist’s most representative works, which is part of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection.  

Curated by Marta Ruiz del Árbol, the museum's senior curator of Modern Painting, this display offers new perspectives of this key piece within Rauschenberg's career, exploring his rich iconography and the experimental drive that led him to knock down boundaries between disciplines and work with creators from fields, such as dance, performance, visual arts or science.

The exhibition highlights the importance of Express (1963) in establishing the artist internationally, after winning the Grand Prix for Painting at the Venice Biennale in 1964.  This proposal joins the global programme of centenary activities, reviewing the figure of Rauschenberg from a contemporary perspective, highlighting his influence on today’s artists and his firm belief in art as a tool for individual and social transformation.

Image Credit:

Robert Rauschenberg. Express, 1963. Oil, silkscreen and collage on canvas. 184.2 x 305.2 cm. © The Estate of Robert Rauschenberg/ARS, New York/ VEGAP, Madrid