Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Esteban Vicente

About the museum

The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Esteban Vicente holds the collection that the painter Esteban Vicente (Turégano, 1903 – Long Island, 2001) and his wife, Harriet G. Vicente, donated in 1997. Vicente was the only Spanish member of the first generation of the New York School of Abstract Expressionism. The donation comprises 153 works: 48 oil paintings, 27 collages, 51 drawings, 4 watercolours, 16 small-format sculptures, a tapestry, 2 lithographs and 4 screen prints.

The museum occupies the former palace of King Henry IV, whose construction dates back to 1455. In 1548 Pedro López de Medina and his wife, Catalina de Barros, founded an old people's hospital in the building. The Renaissance chapel belongs to this hospital; it has a Mudéjar coffered ceiling (artesonado) and recumbent effigies of the founders, and is now an auditorium. Later the building housed the School of Drawing (1778) and the School of Arts and Crafts (1882). In 1974 it was closed because of its ruinous state. The renovation followed the museum plan of Juan Ariño, with spacious and austere rooms that give prominence to the works.

The collection allows the visitor to follow almost the entire development of the artist, with particular weight given to his American production, from the figurative painting of the 1920s and 1930s to the large fields of colour of his final years. Visitors walk through five rooms, the chapel and the garden, where the ashes of Vicente and his wife rest.

Highlights

• Collection donated by Esteban Vicente and Harriet G. Vicente: 153 works
• Collages and paintings of Abstract Expressionism
• Sixteen “juguetes” (toys) or divertimentos in recycled wood
• Renaissance chapel with a Mudéjar ceiling, now an auditorium
• Garden where the ashes of the artist and his wife rest

Permanent exhibition

• Colección permanente Esteban Vicente – Donation of 153 works by Esteban Vicente and Harriet G. Vicente, tracing the painter's evolution from his early figurative years to his final fields of colour, alternating with temporary exhibitions.

Operated by

Consorcio Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Esteban Vicente

Director

Luis Miguel del Pozo Gómez

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is adapted as far as possible for people with mobility difficulties; the remaining obstacles are due to the historic character of the building. Staff offer help getting around the museum.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

Animals, backpacks, large bags and umbrellas are not allowed inside.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 200 guests.

The Renaissance chapel, converted into an auditorium (up to 100 people, 125 m²), and the garden of the former “patio de los osos” (up to 200 people, 600 m²) are rented to companies and institutions, with the possibility of a private visit to the collection. Prices and conditions on request at +34 921 462 010, ext. 111.

Plan your visit