Fundación Bancaja. Housed inside a beautifully restored historical bank building right in the heart of Plaza de Tetuán, this multi-floor cultural hub is a true pillar of the local arts scene—famous for hosting masterworks by heavyweights like Joaquín Sorolla and Picasso.
If you are planning a visit between now and the new year, a spectacular new exhibition just opened its doors:
Andrés García Ibáñez: Una Mirada al Realismo Español [A Look at Spanish Realism]
- Dates: September 25, 2026 – January 10, 2027
- The Exhibition: This marks the Almería-born master's first major monographic showcase in Valencia. The exhibition brings together more than 80 stunning works, tracking his mastery across contemporary portraiture, sweeping landscapes, and intricate still lifes.Heavily influenced by classical master painters—most notably Francisco de Goya—his work focuses on a dramatic, psychological approach to modern Spanish Realism. In these canvases, the painter recreated scenes from his life, relating them, almost with romantic idealism, to melodies by Beethoven that inspired their creation. Some of these canvases have been a starting point for studying the possible links between music and painting in our time.The final section of the exhibition delves into the friendship between Andrés García Ibáñez (born 1971), and Antonio López (born 1936), the legendary master of Spanish realism, which began two decades ago and has also had artistic ramifications. Both have painted landscapes from nature together, especially in Almería and Granada. By examining their compositions, we can identify what unites and distinguishes each realist artist.They have also collaborated on several works, primarily sculptures. These include the bronze portraits of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, commissioned by the Almería Provincial Council for the new Museum of Contemporary Spanish Realism (MUREC). They also created the sculpture of Francisco de Goya, which has been on display since last year in front of the Aragonese painter's birthplace in Fuendetodos.The gallery brilliantly positions Ibáñez’s raw, modern realism in a direct visual dialogue with historic masterpieces by Goya, Sorolla, and Zuloaga. It is a must-see journey through the evolution of Spanish realism.
Visitor Information
- Where: Plaza de Tetuán, 23, Valencia
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 20:30. Closed on Mondays.
- Ticket Prices: General admission is 9 € to 10 €. Reduced admission is 5 € for students, pensioners, and the unemployed. Admission is free for children under 12.
