At a glance
Step inside the studio of Spain's most celebrated costume designer, where delicate sketches and fabric swatches evolve into the iconic silhouettes of Spanish cinema and stage.
Why go
This is a rare look at the creative process of a Goya-winning designer. It brings together hundreds of original drawings and garments that are usually tucked away in private archives or stage warehouses.
You'll see
Original costume sketches · Fabric samples · Finished garments · Stage photography · Archival documents
Pace of visit
The display is rich with small-scale drawings and notes that reward a slower, closer look.
Don't miss
The section dedicated to his collaborations with Carlos Saura, showcasing how he translated historical atmosphere into modern cinematic texture.
Artlovers Tip
Pay attention to the handwritten notes on the sketches; they offer a glimpse into how Moreno negotiated with directors and actors to define a character's personality through clothes.
Inside the exhibition
Meet the artist
Description
Pedro Moreno. Pro domo sua. Theater and Film Art at the Biblioteca Nacional de España in Madrid offers a comprehensive survey of the designer's career. The exhibition, which offers free admission, showcases the meticulous work behind some of the most memorable characters in Spanish theater, opera, and film, moving from initial pencil strokes to the final stitch.
Visitors will find a vast collection of figurines—individual costume sketches—alongside fabric swatches that reveal Moreno’s obsession with texture and movement. The layout covers his significant contributions to the National Drama Center and his award-winning film work, including collaborations with directors like Pilar Miró and Carlos Saura.
What makes this show distinctive is the focus on the designer's personal archive, or "pro domo sua." By presenting these working documents in a national library setting, the exhibition elevates costume design from a craft to a vital visual record of Spanish cultural history.
Worth travelling for?
A detailed, rewarding visit for anyone interested in the technical side of storytelling and the evolution of Spanish stage aesthetics.
Experience as an Artlover
Entry to the BNE exhibition rooms is free of charge. The library typically opens from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 and 20:00, with shorter hours on Sundays and public holidays.
