The Museo Nacional del Prado and the Rijksmuseum Launch Landmark Partnership

This collaboration builds on the long-standing commitment of both museums to increase the representation of women in their collections on a permanent basis. By joining forces, the museums will contribute through new research to a richer and more inclusive understanding of the shared Dutch and Spanish history. The museums will develop an international fellowship programme for postdoctoral researchers and an exhibition in the Rijksmuseum on female leadership in the Habsburg Netherlands in the 16th century.

The collaboration brings together several strands, such as the organisation of expert meetings, a fellowship programme, and an exhibition in the Rijksmuseum. The fellowship programme, which starts in September 2027, will focus on research into the role, governance and representation of women in the Habsburg Empire, with particular emphasis on the shared aspects of the Dutch and Spanish contexts. The fellow will have the opportunity to conduct extensive research in the collections of the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Rijksmuseum, as well as to contribute to the exhibition projects developed as part of this collaboration. Recruitment will begin in October 2026.

Originally conceived as a research project, ‘El Prado en femenino’ is now a permanent, transversal initiative at the Prado Museum that highlights women as artists, promoters and key figures within its collections. Its nine areas of activity include research, documentation, exhibitions, publications, audiovisuals, education, digital development, communication and international collaboration.

Exhibitions and itineraries have brought to light the legacies of Clara Peeters, Sofonisba Anguissola, Isabel Clara Eugenia, Christina of Sweden and Isabella Farnese. A documentary series and three book collections expand on these stories; symposia and lectures promote their study. Digital resources, concerts, courses for teachers and public talks bring the findings to a wide range of audiences. This autumn, the Prado will open an exhibition dedicated to Mariana of Austria, which will illustrate the creation and evolution of the queen’s image throughout her life and reign, and will reveal how that image was promoted and disseminated during one of the most decisive moments in the history of the Spanish Monarchy.