Madrid museum shuffles its pack charting decades of rapid change in Spain

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Sam Jones in MadridFebruary 17, 2026 at 07:00 AM

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long article 4 min

The Reina Sofía museum in Madrid has unveiled a rehang of its contemporary art collection, focusing on the period from 1975 to the present. The exhibition, titled "Contemporary Art: 1975 to the Present," features 403 works that explore Spain's socio-historical changes following the death of Francisco Franco. The collection includes pieces by Spanish and international artists, examining themes like the transition to democracy, the AIDS epidemic, feminism, environmental awareness, decolonization, and global terrorism. The rehang aims to provide a critical reinterpretation of artistic practices within the context of Spain's evolving social, political, and cultural landscape. Almost two-thirds of the works on display have never been exhibited as part of the permanent collection.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Argentina 30% Nan Goldin 40% Chus Burés 40% Madrid 50% Carlos Bosch 50% José Pérez Ocaña 50% Pedro Almodóvar 60% Ángeles González-Sinde 60% Juan Genovés ×270% Francisco Franco ×280% Spain ×590% Reina Sofía Museum ×390%

Keywords

spanish transition 80% contemporary art 70% franco regime 60% democracy 60% aids epidemic 50% social change 50% environmental awareness 40% feminism 40%