At a glance
This exhibition brings the forgotten experimental photography of Isabel Matoses to light, showcasing her innovative work from the Spanish Transition for the first time in a museum setting.
Why go
You'll see
Pace of visit
Don't miss
Artlovers Tip
Look closely at the textures of the prints; the artist’s background in other visual arts is often visible in the way she manipulates the surface of the image.
Artlovers relevance
Inside the exhibition
Meet the artist
Key Movements
Description
Isabel Matoses. La imagen recuperada at the Museo Lázaro Galdiano in Madrid, Spain, presents a significant retrospective of a photographer whose work remained largely hidden for decades. Through more than 70 images, the exhibition traces the career of Isabel Matoses from 1969 to 1985, a period marked by Spain's political and cultural transition. Access to the exhibition is included in the general museum admission.
The selection covers diverse genres including street photography, portraiture, and fashion. However, it is Matoses's experimental spirit that stands out, as she often incorporated techniques from graphic design, engraving, and cinema into her photographic practice. Her self-taught approach allowed her to bypass traditional academic constraints, resulting in a highly personal visual language that influenced younger generations.
By gathering these works from dispersed collections, the museum offers a new perspective on the visual culture of the late 20th century. The show highlights Matoses not just as a documentarian of her time, but as a pioneer who pushed technical boundaries. The works are displayed across the Sala Pórtico, the Galería, and the Arte Invitado space, providing a comprehensive view of her creative output.
Worth travelling for?
A rewarding discovery for those interested in mid-century Spanish history and the evolution of experimental photography beyond the mainstream canon.
Experience as an Artlover
Start in the Sala Pórtico before moving through the Galería and Arte Invitado sections to see the full range of her multidisciplinary techniques.
Isabel Matoses. La imagen recuperada
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