The Royal Gallery of Natural History offers an insightful journey through the history of natural sciences. Established in 1771, this exhibition highlights the importance of historical collections, from rare taxidermied specimens to significant 18th-century artworks. Visitors can explore the foundational work of Pedro Franco Dávila, the first Director, and understand the gallery's evolution into a prominent museum. Discover scientific exploration and rich cultural heritage.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for The Royal Gallery of Natural History at National Museum of Science and Technology in Madrid
The Royal Gallery of Natural History, established in 1771, showcases the historical role and importance of natural sciences collections. It features items of great historical value, including taxidermied specimens and artworks, with regularly updated content.
Established in 1771, The Royal Gallery of Natural History stands as a testament to King Charles III's commitment to the study of nature. Its foundational collection and first Director was Pedro Franco Dávila, who also published a seminal three-volume catalogue of his collections. The gallery evolved into the National Museum of Natural History, initially named the Royal Museum. The exhibition's contents are regularly updated, allowing visitors to encounter historically significant items for the first time alongside emblematic displays from recent years. Notable exhibits include a historic taxidermied Asian elephant, _Elephas maximus_, prepared by Juan Bautista Brú and based on a sculpture by Roberto Michel. A recent fascinating addition is _La Osa Hormiguera de Su Majestad 1776_, an oil painting attributed to Francisco de Goya, which portrays the animal against a backdrop of 18th-century Madrid. This painting, part of the museum's holdings since the late 18th century, has recently been integrated into the permanent exhibition. Complementing these displays, a video highlights various collections and publications from the Royal Gallery's archive and library, featuring works from the Van Berkheij and Pedro Franco Dávila collections, among others. This exhibition offers visitors a chance to understand the historical role of natural sciences and the importance of the collections that originated at the former Royal Gallery of Natural History. Curators were driven by a profound sensibility towards science, reflecting the era's European intellectual climate. The exhibition aims to highlight the tremendous work of Pedro Franco Dávila, the first Director, guiding visitors on an exciting journey through time where key historical holdings of the Museum are presented.
Ticket sales information is available via a provided link. Admission to the Royal Gallery is likely integrated with general museum entry, as is typical for such permanent displays.
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