Spain's Art and Cuisine in Washington, DC Museum
National Gallery of Art Honors, Meléndez, Armor and Chef José Andrés
May 21, 2009
Without any foresight into the 21st century and what would become Spain's expanding role on the world's culinary stage, King Charles IV commissioned Luis Meléndez (1715-1780) to paint food produced by "the Spanish climate." Now recognized as the greatest still-life Spanish painter of his era for his use of color, light and texture variations, his true-to-life paintings include watermelons, bread, hot chocolate, cheese, berries and much more, all complemented with period utensils and often based upon the season or religious calendar. Today, the king's commission and the artist's talent are the impressive 31-paintings and nine-objects Luis Meléndez: Master of the Spanish Still Life exhibit at Washington, D.C.'s National Gallery of Art that runs through August 23, 2009. It is the first such public viewing for Americans in 25 years that is derived from private collections and museums.
Chef José Andrés Creates Spanish Menus for the National Gallery of Art
"Eat me, eat me now," said renowned Chef José Andrés when he recalled viewing Meléndez's paintings at the museum. He classifies the master a "painter of taste," and believes what people ate in Spain in the 18th century they are still cooking today. Born in Asturias, Spain, the Washington-based Andrés is the charismatic host of PBS-TV's cooking series José: Made in Spain, author of its companion cookbook and chef/owner of THINKfoodGroup.
If standing before a Meléndez painting can so profoundly activate Andrés' taste buds, it's a natural assumption that most spectators will want to satisfy a similar craving and will head to to the museum's Garden Cafe España. which is located near the West Building entrance at 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.
Whether the choice is the $19.25 buffet or an a la carte selection, the extensive menu was created by Chef Andrés, and assisted by Chef David Rogers of the Gallery, to complement Meléndez's still-life paintings. Expect to find Spanish white anchovies in olive oil; meatballs with plums; gazpacho; roasted Vidalia onion with Picon cheese, oranges, arugula and walnuts, plus desserts such as flan. Sangria and Spanish wine are also available. An added touch for diners are free recipe cards from selected dishes.
The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits From Imperial Spain
The Luis Meléndez menu is exclusive to the café only until June 28 at which time Spanish dishes from the Renaissance and baroque periods will be added to highlight the museum's The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain exhibition that runs from June 28 through November 1, 2009.
Armor, portraits and tapestries (one weighing 800 pounds) are part of the 75 works that project an image of royal power dating back to the early 16th century. And, for the first time, viewers can see the armor that is depicted in the paintings.
The Garden Cafe España closes September 17 with its Spanish theme and reopens with a French one for a new exhibition.
Luis Meléndez Exhibition Travels to Los Angeles and Boston
The Meléndez exhibition leaves the National Gallery of Art (where admission is always free) August 23 and travels to the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art where it can be viewed from September 23-January 3, 2010. It's viewable at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts from January 31 - May 9, 2010.
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