Museum of Fine Arts

The spaces currently occupied by the Museum of Fine Arts and the Julio Romero de Torres Museum originally belonged to the old Hospital de la Caridad, an institution sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs at the end of the 15th century and run by the Third Order of St. Francis, which provided care for the sick in this building until 1837.

Since the mid-19th century, the building has undergone numerous renovations, housing several of the city’s cultural institutions, such as the Archaeological Museum, which resided there between 1868 and 1917.

The bulk of the Museum of Fine Arts collection is made up of a large number of works from various centuries, acquired from Cordoban convents during the confiscation of 1835. This was further enriched by a significant number of works from the 1868 confiscation, and later through purchases, deposits, or donations. Notable among these are the Cabriñana donation (1898), the Avilés donation (1922), the Inurria deposit (1943), the Bea Pelayo donation (1948–1962), the Camacho Padilla donation (1969), and the Julio Romero de Torres Collection (1991), which enriched the collection with works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The collection is complemented by a large number of paintings and drawings, mostly by local artists, as well as an extensive graphic art collection and even contemporary sculpture, notably the work of Cordoban master Mateo Inurria Lainosa.

From its inception, the Museum of Fine Arts was overseen by the Provincial Council of Córdoba and the Ministry of Public Instruction, becoming part of the National Board of Museums in 1978 following the fall of the Franco regime. Since 1984, it has been a state-owned museum managed by the Ministry of Culture of the Regional Government of Andalusia.

Due to the nature of the collection and the limited available space, the museum’s works are presented according to their artistic style, with rooms named such as “Cordoban Baroque Art” or “Contemporary Art.”

The Museum’s Rooms

Room I: Cordoban Baroque Art

This room displays works by the most notable Cordoban painters or those based in Córdoba during the 17th and 18th centuries. Artists such as Juan Luis Zambrano, Cristóbal de Vela Cobo, and Juan de Valdés Leal are represented on its walls. Antonio del Castillo, a key figure in Cordoban painting of the time, is especially prominent. The room also features a small sculpture by image maker Juan de Mesa.

Room II: Cordoban Art of the 18th and 19th Centuries

This second room contains works created from the second half of the 18th century to the end of the 19th. From the 18th century, Antonio Palomino and Pedro Duque Cornejo stand out, the latter being the author of the Cathedral choir stalls. From the 19th century, works by Rafael Romero Barros and his sons Rafael, Enrique, and Julio Romero de Torres, as well as pieces by Diego Monroy, are highlighted.

Room III: Cordoban Art of the 20th Century

This room is dominated by the work of Mateo Inurria Lainosa, with examples from all stages of his career. It also exhibits works by Rafael Botí, Manuel Garnelo, and Equipo 57. Noteworthy paintings include early works by Julio Romero de Torres, Enrique Romero de Torres, and Rafael Botí.

Room IV: Drawings and Prints

The drawings and prints room showcases the museum’s extensive collection of works on paper. Due to conservation requirements, there is no permanent exhibition, and pieces are rotated periodically. Notable artists include Antonio del Castillo, Pedro de Campaña, José de Ribera “El Spagnoletto,” and Ramón Casa, with a variety of techniques and media represented.

Room V: Medieval and Renaissance Art

This room brings together works from the 14th to 16th centuries, beginning with the so-called primitive Cordoban school, featuring artists such as Baltasar del Águila, Pedro Romana, Pedro de Córdoba, and the early Alejo Fernández. Highlights include two fragments of 14th-century mural paintings—a Christ and a Virgin—from the original Main Chapel of the Cathedral of Córdoba.

Room VI: Cordoban Mannerist Art

The final room presents works of Mannerism in Córdoba, with paintings by Pablo de Céspedes, Juan de Peñalosa, Antonio Mohedano, and Cristóbal de Vela Cobo. Particularly noteworthy is “The Assumption of the Virgin” by Juan de Peñalosa, from the former Hospital of San Sebastián.

Notable Works

Immaculate Conception

Artist: Juan Antonio de Frías y Escalante. Technique: Oil on canvas. Dimensions: 210 x 175 cm. Date: 1650.

Although born in Córdoba, he soon moved to Madrid. He worked in the studio of Francisco Rizi and, despite dying young at 35, left a notable body of work, especially of Immaculate Conceptions. This painting is characterized by its dramatic effect and vibrant color, dominated by blue tones.

Calvary of the Inquisition

Artist: Antonio del Castillo Saavedra. Technique: Oil on canvas. Dimensions: 275 x 275 cm. Date: 1667.

Initially trained by his father and later in Seville in Zurbarán’s studio, Antonio del Castillo returned to Córdoba, where he became the leading figure in 17th-century Cordoban painting. This work comes from the chapel of the Inquisition in the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs.

Male Academy (Allegory of Sculpture)

Artist: Mariano Salvador Maella. Technique: Red chalk on laid paper. Dimensions: 47.5 x 37.5 cm. Date: 1759.

Created during his training in Rome, this academy drawing is part of a set sent to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. The work is signed and dated when the artist was 20 years old and is representative of 18th-century Roman academies in both technique and style.

Contact and Tourist Information

Address: Plaza del Potro, 1. 14002. Córdoba. Phone: +34 957 355 550 / +34 957 355 543. Fax: +34 957 355 548.

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How to Get There

The Museum of Fine Arts is located in Plaza del Potro, one of the city’s most iconic spots, very close to the Paseo de la Ribera and the Guadalquivir River. From the city center, such as Plaza de las Tendillas, it is easily accessible via Claudio Marcelo and San Fernando streets.

If you would like to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, don’t hesitate to book one of our guided tours. We are experts in the interpretation of Córdoba’s historical heritage and can advise you on tickets, schedules, prices, and directions. If you’ve chosen to tour Córdoba, choose quality—choose ArtenCórdoba.