Making Durham a centre for Spanish art

The research of Professor Andy Beresford’s has directly led to the rediscovery of a set of ten lost Apostle paintings, some of which have gone on to be exhibited to the public.

Spanish Golden Age

Professor Beresford organised the Paintings of the Spanish Golden Age exhibition, that was attended by over 150 delegates from all over the world and received considerable media attention.

His research developed public understanding of the distinctive qualities of Spanish art, particularly the relationship between suffering, pain and piety.

Supporting the launch of Zurbarán Centre

The Zurbarán Centre for Spanish and Latin American Art was established as a result of Professor Beresford’s work with The Auckland Project based in Bishop Auckland near Durham City.

The Centre was boosted with a £600,000 grant from the Santander Group and £1m in funding from the University. The Centre links our academic research to the curatorial programme at Auckland Castle’s Spanish Gallery and supports public engagement and regional regeneration.

The centre is a host to major conferences and workshops that have raised the public profile and understanding of Spanish and Latin American art, both in the UK and globally.

Find out more

• Learn more about the work of Andy Beresford, Professor in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, and member of the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies.
• Learn more about the Zurbarán Centre for Spanish and Latin American Art, including study opportunities and exhibitions.
• Interested in studying at Durham? Explore our undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

Image: Jacob and his 12 sons, Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664) 1640-1645, Oil on Canvas, Courtesy The Auckland Project / The Zurbaran Trust