Museo Reina Sofía Highlights Juan Genovés in New Presentation of its Contemporary Collection
Madrid, Spain
17 February 2026

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid has unveiled a major new presentation of its contemporary collection, titled ‘Contemporary Art: 1975 to the Present’. Bringing together more than 400 works by 224 artists, the newly installed display explores the cultural and political shifts that have shaped Spain since the end of the Franco dictatorship, tracing the role of artistic practice in periods of transformation, social mobilisation and democratic renewal.

Among the key figures foregrounded in this renewed narrative is Juan Genovés (1930–2020), widely recognised for his powerful visual language centred on collective presence, political struggle and civic unity. His work has long been associated with Spain’s transition to democracy, and the museum’s decision to position Genovés prominently underscores the continuing relevance of his artistic and historical contribution.

The presentation opens with Genovés’s Documento nº… (1975), a striking work that sets the tone for the museum’s broader examination of post-1975 Spain. The display situates Genovés within a wider constellation of artists addressing themes of social change, political resistance, identity and memory, offering visitors an evolving lens through which to understand recent history.

Genovés is perhaps best known internationally for El abrazo (The Embrace, 1976), an iconic image of solidarity created during the years of political tension and hope following Franco’s death. The work has endured as a symbol of reconciliation, embodying the artist’s enduring focus on the power of human collectivity.

The museum’s renewed attention also coincides with a strengthening of Genovés’s presence in its holdings. According to recent reports, the Reina Sofía acquired 404 works in 2025, including several works by Genovés, reinforcing the significance of his legacy within the national collection.