Collecting towards the future

Collecting toward the future: The Masaveu Collections

The Masaveu collections are a faithful reflection of the tradition of patronage and passion for art that has been defining the Masaveu family and House since the end of the 19th century. Over the generations, this family of originally Catalan entrepreneurs based in Asturias has succeeded in building a considerable legacy, spread across the Masaveu Collection, the Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson Collection and various individual collections, including that of Pedro Masaveu Peterson, now property of the Principality of Asturias and the Fine Arts Museum of Asturias.

The Masaveu Collection, owned by the Corporación Masaveu and managed since 2013 by Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, constitutes one of the most important private art collections in Spain, and is a unique example within the context of private collecting in Spain by the new industrial and financial bourgeoisie of the 19th to 21st centuries. Documented from at least the decade of 1930, it stands out not only for the sheer number of works but above all for their exceptional artistic value and variety, spanning from the Middle Ages to the first decade of the 21st century, and including renowned works by artists such as El Greco, Zurburán, Murillo, Sorolla, Picasso, Miró or Braque, among others. 

Created in 2006, Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson is a non-profit private Spanish cultural foundation of general interest that seeks to promote national and international culture, education and scientific research and education. It has its own art collection, with a particular focus on contemporary art that is constantly growing, comprising outstanding artists such as Juan van der Hamen, Federico de Madrazo, Keith Haring or Jaume Plensa. Some of its most emblematic endeavours include the recovery of Spain’s artistic patrimony and the promotion of Art Patronage Projects that have made possible five editions of the projects Miradas de Asturias or the installation Julia (2018), by Jaume Plensa, in Madrid’s Plaza Colón.  

Both collections enter frequent dialogues in different exhibition projects organised by the Fundación which, faithful to the spirit of its founder, María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, walks towards the future without ever forgetting its past.

María Soto Cano

Curator Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson

www.fundacioncristinamasaveu.com

Photography: Julia. Jaume Plensa. Property: Colección Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson. © of the photographic reproduction: Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, 2018. Author of the photograph: Joaquín Cortés.

History Corporate Collections

The Masaveu collections are a faithful reflection of the tradition of patronage and passion for art that has been defining the Masaveu family and House since the end of the 19th century. Over the generations, this family of originally Catalan entrepreneurs based in Asturias has succeeded in building a considerable legacy, spread across the Masaveu Collection, the Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson Collection and various individual collections, including that of Pedro Masaveu Peterson, now property of the Principality of Asturias and the Fine Arts Museum of Asturias.

The Masaveu Collection, owned by the Corporación Masaveu and managed since 2013 by Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, constitutes one of the most important private art collections in Spain, and is a unique example within the context of private collecting in Spain by the new industrial and financial bourgeoisie of the 19th to 21st centuries. Documented from at least the decade of 1930, it stands out not only for the sheer number of works but above all for their exceptional artistic value and variety, spanning from the Middle Ages to the first decade of the 21st century, and including renowned works by artists such as El Greco, Zurburán, Murillo, Sorolla, Picasso, Miró or Braque, among others. 

Created in 2006, Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson is a non-profit private Spanish cultural foundation of general interest that seeks to promote national and international culture, education and scientific research and education. It has its own art collection, with a particular focus on contemporary art that is constantly growing, comprising outstanding artists such as Juan van der Hamen, Federico de Madrazo, Keith Haring or Jaume Plensa. Some of its most emblematic endeavours include the recovery of Spain’s artistic patrimony and the promotion of Art Patronage Projects that have made possible five editions of the projects Miradas de Asturias or the installation Julia (2018), by Jaume Plensa, in Madrid’s Plaza Colón.  

Both collections enter frequent dialogues in different exhibition projects organised by the Fundación which, faithful to the spirit of its founder, María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, walks towards the future without ever forgetting its past.

María Soto Cano

Curator Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson

www.fundacioncristinamasaveu.com

Photography: Julia. Jaume Plensa. Property: Colección Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson. © of the photographic reproduction: Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, 2018. Author of the photograph: Joaquín Cortés.

In its focus on supporting talent and driving artistic creation, Fundación Sorigué has built one of the most emblematic private contemporary art collections in Spain, distinguished with the “Arte y Mecenazgo” award from “La Caixa” foundation and the “Premio GAC al Coleccionismo” for its collecting.

Made up of over 450 works, the collection stands out for its distinctly humanistic character and educational vein, bringing together works of art hinging on the most sensitive and emotional dimensions of artistic creation. The passage of time, identity, memory and our relationships with and interest in our environment are the key axes the collection revolves around. The collection is organised into unique pieces from the oeuvre of each artist, alternating renowned international names with others that are lesser known, creating small clusters of works of enormous interest and quality, key to understanding the trajectory of each author. The incorporation of works by artists such as William Kentridge, Julie Mehretu, Antonio López and Doris Salcedo, to mention but a few, have marked different turning points in its development.

Some of the works from the collection are present in PLANTA, an innovative project combining art, architecture, knowledge and landscape. PLANTA presents sites-specific works by benchmark artists such as Anselm Kiefer, Chiharu Shiota and Bill Viola, who bear testament to the evolution and permanence, the tradition and innovation, the limits and origins of humanity.

Ana Vallés
Director of Fundación Sorigue

Our award, as Fundación ARCO rightly acknowledged on granting us the “A” Award for corporate collecting, is underpinned by meticulous care in our selection of artists and works, and also the installation of the collection in a business setting that makes access to it possible for both Bank employees and its shareholders and clients. Similarly, this award also distinguishes the benevolent spirit that has always guided our activity: the artistic and historic value of the works, the brand value and prestige, the decorative function and, above all, the dignification of spaces dedicated to work and relations. Our collection also subscribes to the policy of incorporating young artists who stand out for their creativity and innovation capacity, values that reflect the Bank’s culture.

Miquel Molins
Director of the Banco Sabadell Art Collection

Exhibition Hacia la geometría desde la abstracción.

DKV COLLECTION

At DKV we understand art as a tool for expression and creativity that enables us to be aware of the principal problems in our society, of how we react to them and of the prevailing schools of thought in our times.

As health activists we advocate causes such as environmental conservation, women’s well-being, inclusion and the fight against childhood obesity.

A country with no culture is not a healthy country. In this sense, creating a collection has served as an element of communication for all these subjects, for all these concerns. A new way to express what worries us all.

That is why our collection is made up of up-and-coming Spanish artists who represent young, contemporary creativity and thought. Artists who, from their position, help us to reflect on and raise issues and even solutions. The collection addresses the different subjects in a way that is contemporary, assertive, free, creative and, above all, aware.

The collection currently comprises more than 800 pieces by over 300 artists. All the artistic disciplines are represented, from painting to video and everything in between, including photography, drawing and installations.

A body of work which is available to be used in collaboration with museums, foundations and different communication tools, and which continues to grow through grants, prizes and direct acquisitions.

Title: Hacia la geometría desde la abstracción. Colección DKV
Venue: Sala Vimcorsa. Córdoba
Hacia blanco. 2013. Guillermo Mora.
Anélido VII. 2008. Toño Barreiro.
Dos.Interior.Dom.Molina.Día. 2011. Martín Freire.