Madrid
Completed

The Vampyre: Polidori y el origen de la leyenda – Exploring Gothic Literature at Museo del Romanticismo

Discover how Polidori's pivotal novel established the enduring vampire archetype in literary history and culture.

The Museo del Romanticismo presents 'The Vampyre: Polidori y el origen de la leyenda,' an exhibition commemorating 200 years of J. W. Polidori's influential novel. It explores the foundational work of vampire literature, tracing its origins, theatrical adaptations, and the enduring archetype. Housed in the museum's historic library, the display features key loans and insights from Professor Santiago Lucendo, enriching understanding of this pivotal piece of Romanticism and Gothic fiction.

About The Vampyre: Polidori y el origen de la leyenda at Museo del Romanticismo in Madrid

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for The Vampyre: Polidori y el origen de la leyenda at Museo del Romanticismo in Madrid

Exhibition summary

This exhibition at the Museo del Romanticismo commemorates the 200th anniversary of the publication of J. W. Polidori's 'The Vampyre,' considered the foundational work of vampire literature. Held in the museum's historic library, it explores the novel's origins, its theatrical adaptations, and the lasting archetype of the vampire.

Curatorial context

The Museo del Romanticismo presents 'The Vampyre: Polidori and the Origin of the Legend,' an exhibition marking 200 years since the publication of John William Polidori's seminal work. This novel is credited with establishing the vampire as a literary archetype, influencing subsequent narratives in literature, theater, and film. Curated by Professor Santiago Lucendo, the exhibition is housed in the museum's historic library, which is usually closed to the public. It features various books and manuscripts that delve into Polidori's novel and its dissemination, examining how the image of the vampire known today was shaped. Key loans from the Biblioteca Histórica Municipal and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid include theatrical adaptations of 'The Vampyre.' The exhibition also displays a compilation of Lord Byron's works from a private collection, dated 1831, which contains a facsimile of a letter where the poet disavows authorship of 'The Vampyre,' attributing it to his physician, J. W. Polidori. The exhibition is complemented by two conferences on November 7th, featuring professors Santiago Lucendo and Antonio Ballesteros, who will discuss the life of the vampire before and after Polidori, tracing its evolution from romantic fascination to its modern cultural presence.

Admission and ticket notes

The exhibition is displayed in the museum's historic library. Related conferences will be held in the museum's auditorium on November 7th. Specific ticketing details for the exhibition or conferences are not provided, but it is implied to be part of the museum's programming.

The Vampyre: Polidori y el origen de la leyenda key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for The Vampyre: Polidori y el origen de la leyenda at Museo del Romanticismo in Madrid

Venue
Museo del Romanticismo
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Nov 7, 2019 – Dec 7, 2019
Artist line / attribution
Curated by Professor Santiago Lucendo, with contributions and loans from the Biblioteca Histórica Municipal and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Features works related to J. W. Polidori and Lord Byron.
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