Cayetana: Grande de España at the Palacio de Liria in Madrid, Spain, marks the centenary of Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, the 18th Duchess of Alba. The exhibition moves beyond her celebrity status to examine her roles as a cultural patron, art collector, and guardian of the House of Alba’s extensive heritage.

More than 200 items are displayed throughout the duchess’s former residence, including society portraits by Ignacio Zuloaga and sculptures by Mariano Benlliure. The selection features haute couture gowns by Dior and Balenciaga, alongside photographs by Cecil Beaton and Richard Avedon, private correspondence, and records of her encounters with artists like Picasso and Dalí.

This Madrid adaptation adds a specific focus on the mid-century restoration of the Palacio de Liria following the Spanish Civil War. By placing these personal and professional archives within the palace walls, the show highlights how Cayetana’s private interests helped preserve one of Spain’s most significant private art collections for the modern era.

A dense, rewarding biography for those interested in the intersection of twentieth-century Spanish society, high fashion, and aristocratic art collecting.

The palace is open daily, though Monday hours are restricted to the morning. Tickets cover both the temporary exhibition and a self-guided tour of the palace’s permanent collection.