THE NATIONAL GALLERY TO PRESENT ITS FIRST-EVER EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO A LATIN AMERICAN ARTIST

The National Gallery will break new ground early next year by hosting the first monographic exhibition in the UK devoted to José María Velasco (1840–1912), Mexico’s most renowned 19th-century painter. Running from 29 March to 17 August 2025, this unprecedented showcase—José María Velasco: A View of Mexico—marks the first time the National Gallery has dedicated an entire exhibition to a Latin American artist. The launch coincides with the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and Mexico, reinforcing the enduring cultural bond between these two nations.

The monumental paintings by Velasco show the Valle de México, a vast area that spreads around Mexico City plus fascinates art enthusiasts to this day. His detailed atmospheric works reflect a fast-changing society and give viewers a glimpse of the region’s spectacular natural beauty next to its rapid industrial growth. During his lifetime, Velasco’s art was displayed in Europe and the United States, and he earned significant acclaim in his native Mexico. Yet, despite his substantial influence in the Americas, his name and work remain less familiar internationally—especially in the UK.

Velasco was far more than a painter of national landscapes. A true Renaissance man, he was also a botanist, naturalist, and geologist, driven by a deep curiosity about the world around him. Combining his artistic vision with scientific inquiry, Velasco approached drawing and painting as a systematic, investigative process. He detailedly documented Mexico’s old heritage, modern technology, and scenic mountain landscapes

In recognition of Velasco’s enduring importance, the accompanying catalog will be the first monographic study of the artist published outside Mexico. The book presents vital essays and detailed entries from scholars across Britain, Mexico, plus the United States to spark new research about Velasco’s remarkable achievements. The publication places his artwork in a comprehensive global context – which includes North American and European artistic styles – to highlight how Velasco helped shape 19th-century landscape art.

The exhibition is co-curated by Dexter Dalwood, an artist and independent curator, and Daniel Sobrino Ralston, the National Gallery’s CEEH Associate Curator of Spanish Paintings. Dalwood first conceived the project, recognizing Velasco’s unique blend of European painting traditions with an entirely new “pictorial intelligence” informed by Mexico’s geography, history, and cultural identity. He notes how Velasco masterfully absorbed European techniques while remaining profoundly rooted in his homeland’s distinctive landscape.

The exhibition highlights Velasco’s role as Mexico’s cultural ambassador at international shows in the 1880s and 1890s. He earned many awards for his works depicting the beauty and complexity of a nation that mixed new technologies with ancient culture. The contrast between traditional and modern defines Velasco’s impact and shapes a key message in the next show.

Organized in partnership with The Minneapolis Institute of Art, José María Velasco: A View of Mexico will travel to the United States after its London premiere, further extending Velasco’s long-overdue international recognition. Art enthusiasts, historians, and anyone interested in how 19th-century painters responded to the forces of modernity will find much to discover at this groundbreaking event. By spotlighting Velasco’s life and work on the global stage, the National Gallery hopes to spark new interest in Latin American art traditions and encourage deeper cross-cultural dialogue. We welcome art fans and first-time visitors to explore this remarkable exhibition that celebrates José María Velasco’s talent, wisdom, and perception. Mark your calendars for 29 March—17 August 2025 and discover a very significant period in art history that still moves and sparks interest in people everywhere.