Madrid
Completed

The Hours of Sunlight. Bleda y Rosa Photography Exhibition at Royal Collections Gallery

Experience a compelling new photography series by Bleda y Rosa, part of the 'Field Notebooks' project, exploring nature and history.

Immerse yourself in 'The Hours of Sunlight,' a significant photography exhibition by Bleda y Rosa. This presentation at the Royal Collections Gallery showcases a new series focusing on the sun's vital role in nature, set within the historic Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste. Discover intricate connections between astronomy, botany, and mechanical devices through compelling photographic art, enhancing awareness of environmental protection.

About The Hours of Sunlight. Bleda y Rosa. at Royal Collections Gallery in Madrid

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for The Hours of Sunlight. Bleda y Rosa. at Royal Collections Gallery in Madrid

Exhibition summary

This exhibition, part of the 'Field Notebooks' project, features a new series by photographers Bleda y Rosa focusing on the sun as an essential source of energy and life within the historical setting of the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste. It explores themes of astronomy, botany, and mechanical devices in relation to nature and organization.

Curatorial context

The exhibition 'The Hours of Sunlight' by artists Bleda y Rosa, winners of the 2008 National Photography Award, is the second edition of the 'Field Notebooks' project, a collaboration between National Heritage, ACCIONA, and PHotoESPAÑA. This project focuses on the natural spaces within National Heritage's Royal Sites, aiming to raise public awareness of environmental protection. Bleda y Rosa's series was developed at the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste, the last home of Emperor Charles V. The photographers delve into the natural environment through the lens of Charles V's interests in astronomy, botany, and mechanical devices, investigating the dichotomy between nature and its organization, Renaissance life and vision, and the tangible versus what is perceived through a window. The monastery itself, where Charles V sought a retreat after abdicating, features prominently, with details of its architecture, gardens, and the Emperor's love for fruit trees and clockwork orchestrated by Juanelo Turriano.

Admission and ticket notes

Admission to the Royal Collection Gallery and temporary exhibitions is available via Plaza de la Armería. Cuesta de la Vega is for pre-booked groups and temporary exhibitions. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10 am to 7 pm.

The Hours of Sunlight. Bleda y Rosa. key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for The Hours of Sunlight. Bleda y Rosa. at Royal Collections Gallery in Madrid

Venue
Royal Collections Gallery
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Jun 4, 2025 – Sep 7, 2025
Artist line / attribution
Featuring artists Bleda y Rosa, with curation by María Santoyo (PHotoESPAÑA), and coordination by Nerea Fernández (PHotoESPAÑA) and Ana María Castañeda (Patrimonio Nacional).
More from Royal Collections Gallery
Explore additional exhibitions from the same institution
Review other exhibitions from Royal Collections Gallery in Madrid to compare themes, timelines, and program direction while planning your museum visit.
Alterations Art Exhibition at Royal Collections Gallery
From Jun 16, 2026

Alterations Art Exhibition at Royal Collections Gallery

Contemporary photographic stories challenging traditional historical narratives.

Discover how contemporary photographers engage with permanent museum displays. See how interventions reframe historical memory and identity through creative photography.

View Alterations Exhibition
Isabel Muñoz Art Exhibition at the Royal Collections Gallery
From Jun 4, 2026

Isabel Muñoz Art Exhibition at the Royal Collections Gallery

Stones of the Sky photography and video installations

Discover the natural and architectural legacy of Philip II through a sensory contemporary art project. This exhibition uses local granite, photography, and video to connect historical time with the surrounding environment.

Isabel Muñoz Exhibition
A watercolor illustration of antique royal toys, including a doll, a carriage, and blocks, displayed on a table with portraits in the background, evoking the childhood of Spanish royalty.
From Dec 16, 2025

Royal Toys Exhibition: Exploring Childhood Leisure of the Spanish Monarchy

Historic games, dolls, and learning tools from royal children's lives.

Journey through the 'Royal Toys' exhibition to see artifacts from Spanish royal childhoods spanning the 19th and early 20th centuries. This collection reveals their world of play, learning, and historical significance through unique objects and personal accounts.

Royal Toys Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of ornate 19th-century clocks displayed in a grand gallery with soft purple lighting, representing the Royal Collections exhibition.
From Mar 26, 2026

The Precision of Timekeeping: 19th-Century Clocks Exhibition at Royal Collections

Showcasing historical timepieces from Spanish monarchs Ferdinand VII and Isabella II.

This exhibition reveals the intricate craftsmanship and aesthetic styles of 19th-century clocks. Discover pieces from renowned clockmakers that adorned royal salons, reflecting a significant period of technical advancement and artistic design.

19th-Century Clocks Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a museum gallery featuring 19th-century photosculpture artworks, with visitors viewing ornate framed sculptures and porcelain figures.
From Oct 6, 2025

Photosculpture: The 19th-Century 3D Art at the Royal Collections Gallery

Pioneering 3D photography featuring Spanish royal family portraits.

Learn about the innovative photosculpture technique, a groundbreaking 19th-century invention. This exhibition highlights rare 3D photographic representations, including intricate portraits of the Spanish royal family.

Photosculpture Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of an art gallery with purple walls, featuring paintings of seascapes and figures, evoking the style of Joaquín Sorolla.
From Oct 17, 2024

Sorolla, One Hundred Years of Modernity Exhibition at Royal Collections Gallery

Explore the centenary exhibition of Joaquín Sorolla's modern masterpieces.

This exhibition at the Royal Collections Gallery celebrates Joaquín Sorolla's centenary. It showcases 77 paintings, tracing his artistic evolution from seascapes to portraits. Discover works rarely seen in Spain, reflecting his mastery of light and color.

Joaquín Sorolla Exhibition
Madrid

Find Exhibitions in Madrid: Explore Current Showcases and Cultural Events

Discover Madrid’s diverse art, history, and science cultural displays.

Navigate through Madrid’s vibrant exhibition scene to uncover artistic, historical, and scientific showcases. Pinpoint specific cultural experiences and plan your visits with ease. Explore an array of compelling displays across the city.