Spanish Ambassador Joins King’s College London Libraries for Launch of Exciting New Exhibition
Impressions of Spain in the 1830s includes original artworks never previously exhibited in public in the UK and showcases the work of several British artist-travellers, including Harriet and Richard Ford, Owen Jones, John F Lewis, David Roberts and George Vivian, all of whom visited Spain in the 1830s and whose works played an important part in shaping British understanding and perception of Spain in the 19th century. Spanish artists from the same period are also represented in the exhibition by the rare opportunity to view a copy of Genaro Pérez Villaamil’s magnificent España artística y monumental, a masterpiece of travel illustration popular at the time.
The collection of artworks, books and artifacts draws on the personal library of Professor Sir Barry Ife (former Acting Principal and Cervantes Professor Emeritus at King’s), on the library collections of King’s (including the historical library collections of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and of Canning House) and on other private and institutional loans.
It’s wonderful to see these beautiful artworks go on display in the Maughan Library and to be able to share some of our rich collections in travel writing and the history of Spain with the wider public. The opening of the exhibition by His Excellency was a fitting way to celebrate these works and to thank Professor Sir Barry Ife wholeheartedly for the bequest of his Spanish library to the Foyle Special Collections library here at King’s.
Elisabeth Hannon, Director of Libraries & Collections at King’s College London
The exhibition, which is open daily in The Weston Room of Maughan Library between 10:00-17:00, will run until 10 December. Free tickets are available here.
