The County of Vega Grande pays a Debt to the Canary Islands Treasury with Twelve Works of Art
The Canary Islands authorities have acquired twelve works of art, including notable pieces by Neapolitan artist Luca Giordano and six paintings attributed to Bartolomé Esteban Murillo or his workshop.
The collection previously belonged to the family of the Counts de la Vega Grande de Guadalupe, one of the most influential on the Canary Islands. In 2021, the current head of the family and his relatives reached an agreement with tax authorities to transfer these artworks as payment for inheritance tax.
Two works by Giordano — “Neptune” and “The Abduction of Proserpina” — will soon be sent for restoration. Once restored, they are set to be displayed in the future Museo de Bellas Artes de Gran Canaria, which is currently under construction. Both paintings, depicting mythological themes, previously adorned the dining room of the family’s historic home in the Vegueta district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Experts note that the paintings require significant intervention: one shows signs of water damage, while the frames have suffered from insect infestation. The Ministry of Culture has allocated funds for restoration, entrusting the work to professionals from a Madrid workshop. Once the procedures are complete, the canvases will take center stage in the new museum’s exhibition, which is planned to open in 2026.
The addition of such significant works to a public collection reinforces the Canary Islands’ status as a cultural hub. Once the museum is restored and reopened, both tourism and interest in the region are expected to grow. For local residents, it’s an opportunity to engage with world-class art without leaving the archipelago, while for the authorities, it’s a way to highlight the importance of culture in society’s development.
Main Image: Museo de Bellas Artes de Gran Canaria