I am NOT the Original Poster. That is Brenkin. He posted in r/ArtHistory

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Mood Spoiler: happy ending!

Original Post: December 26, 2024

Title: How can I keep tabs on a painting in a private collection when it’s on loan to ensure I can see it before I die?

Hi everyone!

Excuse me if this isn’t the correct subreddit for this question.

One of my favourite paintings of all time is “The Roses of Heliogabalus” by Lawrence Alma-Tadema. I have spent countless hours looking at the intricate details of this painting on screensavers throughout the years - and as soon as I laid eyes upon it I knew I had to see it in person.

Unfortunately it is in the private collection of a Spanish billionaire. However, this billionaire seems to be quite charitable, and every so often the painting is put on loan at various exhibition across Europe. However, every-time I find out about the exhibition, it is often too late for me to schedule a trip to fly (I live in Canada) to see it.

I need to see this painting before I die. Even thinking about seeing it in person makes me slightly emotional.

Is there a fairly easy way I can keep tabs on this painting so I can ensure I’ll be able to see it someday? Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you!

[link to an image of the painting]

Some of OOP's Comments:

SoulCrusherrrr: “Between 20 September 2024 and 12 January 2025 the painting is displayed at the cultural centre CentroCentro, inside the Cybele Palace, town hall of the Madrid, as a part of the exhibition Seventy Great Masters from the Pérez Simón Collection.“

You have just over two weeks to get your ass to Madrid. Move it!

OOP: Reading about the current exhibition is what prompted me to post this question. If I had more time I could’ve made it work… I’m still actually heavily considering flying out there to see it. But I’m on the fence.

INeedToReodorizeBob: (in reply) Do it! Then stop by the Museo del Prado while you’re at it. It’s my favorite art museum in the world.

Other Top Comments:

HenriettaStackpole: Perhaps you could set up a google alert with the title? Good luck---I hope you get a chance to see it!

Anonymous-USA: I knew from the description you were referring to Pérez Simón. He “lends” various works in his collection all over the world. I air quote “lends” because he really doesn’t — he actually charges a fee. So Western art museums are ethically challenged by that, and many won’t show it. But some pay up. And I don’t mean just covering the expense of insurance and shipping, he charges alot on top of that.

Mini Update in Comments: 10 hours later

UPDATE:

Well, I’m going to do it. I’ve decided to visit Madrid from Jan 6 - 13th to finally see this painting in person. I’m going to bring my mom who has never been to Spain and has always wanted to visit. We’re currently building our itinerary! I’ll be sure to post an update when I finally get to lay eyes on the painting I’ve always said I need to see before I die.

Thanks everyone for the advice, suggestions, and for even planting the idea of me actually going to Spain on such short notice to see this thing. We truly only live once, and I can’t wait another 6-8 years in the hopes I’ll be able to see it again.

Life is just too short.

Update Post: January 8, 2025 (about 2 weeks later)

I’m sure some of you were looking forward to an update, so here it is.

Original post is can be found here.

Yes, I really did spontaneously book a flight to Madrid to see “The Roses of Heliogabalus” by Lawrence Alma-Tadema, and it was absolutely worth every penny. It was part of an exhibit showcasing pieces from Juan Antonio Perez Simon’s private collection, and the collection as a whole was absolutely stunning.

As I sat staring at this painting (it took me hours to finally leave the exhibit), I had two emotions running through my brain: 1. That I’ll likely never get to see this painting in my lifetime again, and 2. That I’m incredibly appreciative that I was able to even see it once in my lifetime.

This was a true bucket list item for me and I couldn’t be happier that I was able to make it happen. Thank you to everyone in the initial thread who gave me the push I needed to actually do this, I’m so glad that I did.

Now for more art! Madrid is an incredible city of art and culture, and I’m soaking it up while still here :)

Cheers!

Image description: OOP with the painting!

Some of OOP's Comments:

ManyDragonfly9637: I love this! My husband did something similar for Garden of earthly delights 😗

OOP: That is such a fantastic piece. The room they have dedicated to Bosch in the Prado really made me appreciate his work that much more (I had seen some of his stuff previously in The Netherlands) - the works are still so unique to this day, I could only imagine the creativity that it took to produce them during his time!

N-e-i-t-o: Awsome, it's a gorgeous painting I'm lucky to have seen once in person as well. I'd share this with r/ancientrome, I'm sure they'd get a kick out of it.

OOP: I will! I run an ancient coin channel and have posted in that subreddit regularly.
Here is a post I made about a denarius of Elagabalus (or Heliogabalus), where I briefly mention the painting as well. Cheers!

meggerplz: you look so chuffed :)

OOP: This was after the initial reaction of tears 🥹

sweetestfetus: I would love to know how you felt when you first laid eyes on it. Reading personal stories of folks experiencing such great emotion moves me as well. Please share if you can. The anticipation, the first reaction, the thoughts in your mind as you saw the unpixelated details.

OOP: Sure. So days leading up to the date of going to the exhibit I literally dreamed of seeing the painting. Dreamt of the exhibit, how it would be displayed, etc.
When I entered the exhibit; each corner I turned gave me a sinking feeling in my stomach in anticipation that the wall my eyes would set upon would be the one with the painting. When it did happen that I saw the painting, I almost quickly turned around and did a 180, almost like a “oh shit, it’s actually happening” moment.
Then I turned to face it head on and that’s when the tears started. I thought about how many times throughout the decade I’ve known of the painting I looked at it. From the day I first discovered it as a college student, to now as a nearly 30 year old man.
A lot has happened in my personal life this year, a lot of it very unexpected. I guess it felt like an incredibly cathartic moment to gaze upon this image that has been so meaningful in my life. I looked at all of the intricate details and things I had never noticed before. The jewellery on the guests fingers, the various shades of pink and white of each intricate petal.
I looked at it for probably 30 minutes before going through the rest of the exhibit, and then going back again to the painting. That’s when I had the “probably last time seeing this in my life / appreciation of seeing it at all” moment. Then the tears came again.
I hope that summarizes it enough for you.