The BBVA Collection is taking part in this exhibition through the loan of Battle of Villalar by Manuel Picolo y López, a key work for a proper understanding of the evolution of history painting in Spain in the nineteenth century.

Organized to commemorate the fifth centenary of the Revolt of the Comuneros, the show wishes to examine and reflect on the enduring political and social relevance of this major historical event, given its lasting influence on the power relations between rulers and citizens. With that purpose in mind, significant items and documents connected to the heroes of the uprising have been gathered together with artworks of the time which, taken as a whole, will afford an overview of everyday life, society and art in the first third of the sixteenth century. In turn, visitors will be able to see a selection of pieces that offer us varying visions of the Comuneros and their vital role in shaping Spain’s collective visual imaginary.

The painting from the BBVA Collection illustrates one of the most far-reaching events in Spanish history. It depicts the conclusion of the Battle of Villalar in 1521, which marked the victory of King Carlos I of Spain over the Comuneros of Castile, led by Juan de Padilla, Juan Bravo and Francisco Maldonado, the three prisoners surrounded by royalist troops at the centre of the composition. Awarded an honorary certificate at the 1887 , this painting is an excellent example of the successful union between official academicism and the purest romantic spirit. Worth underscoring is the work’s pervasive sense of sadness as well as its melancholic tone, a clear sign that, far from eulogizing the victory of the royalist troops, the artist empathizes with the vanquished, praising the courage they showed in their fight for freedom.