New Juan Soriano and María Zambrano Exhibition Loan Opens at MUCAC La Coracha in Málaga
A new collaboration between regional cultural institutions brings an intimate look at twentieth-century creative dialogues to MUCAC La Coracha. Through a partnership with the María Zambrano Foundation, a notable painting and a collection of personal archives have been loaned to the museum for one year, enriching the venue's current historical display.
What to Expect at the MUCAC La Coracha Historical Exhibition
The newly arrived items are integrated directly into the ongoing exhibition Ayer. Colección 1940–1990 (Yesterday. Collection 1940–1990), curated by Salvador Nadales. Visitors to the Paseo de Reding venue can now view these unique pieces alongside the museum’s modern and contemporary art displays.
At the center of this temporary loan is the 1956 painting María en llamas, o retrato de una filósofa (María in Flames, or Portrait of a Philosopher) by the Mexican artist Juan Soriano. Accompanying the canvas is a selection of primary source materials, including:
- Personal correspondence, such as a letter written to Zambrano’s sister, Araceli.
- Historical photographs taken during her period of exile.
- Original press clippings, including coverage of her lecture at the Lyceum and Lawn Tennis Club in Havana.
- Copies of her influential books, Pensamiento y poesía en la vida española (1939) and La agonía de Europa (1945).
Additionally, the Centro Cultural Generación del 27 has supported the display by contributing a collection of exile journals compiled by Manuel Altolaguirre.
The Artistic and Philosophical Bond of Zambrano and Soriano
This selection highlights the profound intellectual friendship that developed between the philosopher María Zambrano and Juan Soriano after she arrived in Mexico as a refugee following the Spanish Civil War. Zambrano famously referred to Soriano as the "painter of the dawn" due to his unique ability to capture the transition from darkness to light—a visual metaphor for revelation and understanding.
Their mutual appreciation is documented in written exchanges and published essays, demonstrating how deeply Zambrano's philosophical thoughts on aesthetics were intertwined with the work of contemporary painters.
Visiting MUCAC La Coracha in Málaga
This special addition to the exhibition opened to the public in early November. MUCAC La Coracha offers free admission and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, welcoming visitors between 10:00 and 20:00. More details about current safety guidelines and seasonal updates can be found directly on the official MUCAC website.
If you are planning a cultural itinerary in the city, you can use Musemap (musemap.art) to discover more museums in Málaga or check what's on in Málaga during your visit.
