KEY Magazine Fort Worth

Kimbell Art Museum presents...
Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1617-1682)
Paintings from American Collections

The first comprehensive retrospective of renowned Spanish artist BartolomeEsteban Murillo, will be on view at the Kimbell Art Museum from March 10 through June 16, 2002. "Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1617-1682): Paintings from American Collections" features 34 paintings from the golden age of Spanish painting, drawn from the numerous outstanding examples of Murillo's work in American museums and private collections. Subjects range from religious to highly individual scenes of street life, and portraits.

The exhibition is organized by the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, its only other venue, where it will be seen from July 14 until Oct. 6, 2002.

With the exception of a visit to the court of Madrid in 1658, Murillo spent his very productive life in his native Seville, where he created a number of religious paintings for its monasteries and churches, as well as works for a circle of private patrons.

The Return of the Prodigal Son, this page, is one of eight pieces Murillo did for the church of the Hospital of Charity in Seville. The ensemble is acknowledged as Murillo's masterpiece. Based on Matt. 25: 35-36, the subject of the paintings is titled Acts of Mercy. The Return of the Prodigal Son illustrates the act of "clothing the naked."

Saint Justa, on the cover, is from the Algur H. Meadows Collection, Meadows Museum, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. Saint Justa and Saint Rufina, who were the patron saints of Seville, were daughters of a poor potter, who refused to sell their ceramic wares for use in pagan ceremonies. The sisters were tortured and killed for refusing to sacrifice at a pagan altar; the palm branches symbolize their martyrdom.

Museum hours are Tue.-Thu. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri. noon-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sun. noon-5. Gen. Ad. $8; Seniors 60+, and Students with an I.D., $6, children 6-11, $4; half-price Tue. Children under 6, accompanied by an adult, free. An Acoustiguide Audio Tour is available at the entrance for $4 per person. 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817-332-8451.

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