Manolo Valdés at Berkeley Square
18 - 18
May 2018
The monumental Reina Mariana by the prominent Spanish artist Manolo Valdés was installed today for public display at the historic Berkeley Square of London. The famous sculpture will be elegantly gracing the iconic square, located in the heart of the prestigious Mayfair area, within a secure park. The Spanish artist is internationally renowned for his monumental sculptures as well as signature paintings influenced by the great masters.
Valdés has always observed the paintings of Diego Velázquez as a source and site of investigation. Especially Velázquez's portrait of Queen Mariana (ca. 1652), which has been a source of inspiration for Reina Mariana. The sculpture depicts the queen in a tightly encased bodice and stiff farthingale, as was the fashion of the time. Appearing stiff in both painting and sculpture, Reina Mariana captures the theatricality of courtly constraint.
Made solely of bronze and situated on a dark grey plinth, the weight of this sculpture exceeds 800 kilograms. London visitors and residents will have the opportunity to gaze at the monumental sculpture at Berkeley Square for the coming months.
- See more images of the monumental Reina Mariana here.
- For more information on the artist please visit here.
- Contact: london@operagallery.com
