“How well the gold combines with all the colours, what delicate tones it produces!”. The Madrazos, Raphael and the art of tapestry in the Museo del Prado

2025 | ISSUE 41 | PAGE 140

• PDF 10_2025 MUÑOZ MARTIN.pdf

Author

Keywords

Federico de Madrazo, José de Madrazo, Raphael, Royal Collection, Tapestries

RESUMEN

This text explores the historical evolution of tapestry in Spain with a particular focus on its presence in the collections of the Museo del Prado. It singles out the role of José and Federico de Madrazo, who promoted the acquisition of celebrated tapestries for the Museum’s collection, such as those from the Acts of the Apostles series, works appreciated both for their artistic merits and their educational potential. Although their efforts were not fully consolidated in the nineteenth century, the idea persisted, resulting in further additions to the collection in the twentieth century, including those from the Durán Bequest. Despite having had limited visibility, the Museum’s tapestries can be seen as works of great potential for enriching the Prado’s artistic and pedagogical discourse due to their quality and uniqueness.