Reunited, Five Years Later

6 June 2020 is a significant date in the recent history of the Museo Nacional del Prado. After closing for eighty-seven days due to the Covid-19 health crisis, the museum reopened its doors with Reunited, an exceptional exhibition that, in the words of the Prado’s director Miguel Falomir, allowed visitors to ‘see the Prado as it had never been seen before and probably never will be seen again’. Five years on, the Prado pays tribute to that singular moment. 

The reopening took place when many restrictions were still in effect, including the interprovincial travel ban, which made visiting the museum an even more meaningful experience. To share that moment with those unable to come in person, the hashtag #VuelvealPrado [ReturntothePrado] was used on social media, inviting them to participate in this reunion with art. 

That extraordinary show, which only occupied one eighth of the building, assembled the 200 best works in the collection, giving rise to unprecedented interactions between some of the finest Old Masters. A case in point is the stunning dialogue between the Saturns of Rubens and Goya, which shared a gallery for the first time five years ago and are repeating the experience now until 6 July.