Art lovers and everyday consumers are constantly looking for new ways to connect with their favorite artist collections and artworks. The reverse is also true, with art institutions and museums around the world looking for new avenues to engage with art lovers everywhere.

With the rise of digital platforms, the art world has become more accessible than ever. Samsung Art Store is at the forefront of this revolution, providing a platform for art lovers to enjoy a vast library of stunning artwork from the comfort of their own home.

Samsung Newsroom spoke with Cristina Alovisetti, Managing Director of Museo Nacional Del Prado Difusion (the commercial company of Museo del Prado), to explore the relationship between in-person art experiences and digital displays. The Prado Museum is one of the most renowned art galleries and the oldest partner of the Art Store.

In this Q&A session, we will examine how art lovers and institutions can benefit from digital art platforms and ultimately how a combination of in-person art experiences and new technologies can inspire and deliver new avenues of approach for artists and creatives.

Samsung Art Store X Prado Museum: a lasting partnership

Q: For those unfamiliar with the partnership, can you tell us a bit more about Prado National Museum and your role at the museum?

The Prado Museum is one of the most prestigious art galleries in the world. Its permanent collection is essential for understanding the evolution of European art and its most notable artists such as Velázquez, Bosch, Rubens and Titian. The museum’s international presence is also evident through its collaborations with other international institutions as well as through its global digital footprint. — including its website, social media channels and apps.

As General Manager of the Museum’s Commercial Company, I am proud to be part of this institution since its creation in 2006. The primary objective of our company is to promote the Museo del Prado brand, its collection and its property rights. intellectual while contributing to the financing of the museum. We strive to establish a cohesive and strong identity while creating partnerships that help us reach a wider audience.

Q: Can you tell us more about the genesis of the partnership with Samsung Art Store and the benefits you see in this collaboration?

We started collaborating with Samsung Art Store at the beginning of our gallery project at the invitation of the Samsung Electronics Spain team. We were fortunate to be part of Frame’s inaugural 2017 partnership presentation in Berlin. Since then, we have continued to work together, updating and enriching our partnership.

I believe that the Art Store is an intelligent and respectful concept that values ​​the work of art and the institution that is responsible for it. It represents a digital breakthrough that fits perfectly with our daily lives and habits. With this platform, I can experience and enjoy art in a convenient and accessible way. I can learn about artists and their work and share my findings with others, which is a great benefit for end users.

Assessment of the current state of digital art platforms

Q: Digital art platforms are growing in popularity because they provide accessible and enjoyable ways for users to own and enjoy art at home. Where do you see this trend going and what impact do you think it will have on the art industry?

The Samsung Art Store is an innovative platform that offers users a unique way to enjoy and access works of art from the comfort of their homes. By providing a platform to view images of artworks, paintings, photographs and more, the Art Store has made it easier for collectors to own and appreciate works of art.

This technology could potentially have a significant impact on the art industry by providing new opportunities for individuals to access and engage with art. The Art Store has the potential to integrate into personal environments and provide new opportunities for art collectors to showcase their collections.

Overall, the growing popularity of digital art platforms like the Samsung Art Store is likely to have a positive impact on the art industry by making art more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. .

Q: What differences do you see between the presentation of the artwork in person and the digital presentation on the frame?

That’s an excellent question. First, I think it’s important to note that we’re talking about displaying images of artwork, not the artwork itself. How the viewer experiences the artwork will depend on their ability to evoke the same emotions as the original artwork. While digital screens cannot replace the experience of seeing a Velázquez painting in person, they provide the convenience of accessing and displaying high-quality images of these works of art in our own homes.

Additionally, being able to incorporate digital artwork into our living spaces, just as we do with furniture or decorative items, adds a new dimension to the way we experience and appreciate art. It provides new opportunities to enjoy and share art in our daily lives and that’s a good thing.

Q: Have you observed any trends or patterns in how people interact with the museum’s online collections?

It is fascinating to see how the public reacts to the images presented in the Art Store. The public seems attracted by decorative aesthetics and current trends influenced by other media, like the buying habits observed in our museum shops.

Q: Can you share with us some of the most memorable pieces from your collection that are currently featured in the Art Store?

Here are some carefully selected works from a diverse range of works by various painters, styles and themes spanning different decades. These pieces feature a range of subject matter, from powerful portraits and mythological dances to the exquisite detail of flower catalogs, offering insight into the beauty and richness of art history.

Las Meninas is undoubtedly the best-known painting in the Museo del Prado and Velázquez’s most famous work. It is also the one that best sums up the characteristics of his art. In a large room in the Alcazar of Madrid, we see the Infanta Margarita, whose detail can be seen in this image, flanked by two bridesmaids or meninas.

The image has been interpreted in several ways. The centrality of the Infanta Margarita and the reflection of the king and queen in the mirror seem to indicate political and dynastic significance. The presence of Velázquez in the same environment as the King, Queen and Infanta, and wearing the Cross of the Order of Santiago and the Chamberlain’s Key as attributes of his social status, is likely a validation of his nobility and that of the painting itself.

The Central panel, with the four rivers of the world on the horizon, situates the scene on Earth. Carnal desire, represented by beautiful naked women and symbolized by a panoply of red fruits, becomes the engine of humanity. The various earthly pleasures to which humanity indulges instinctively and unconsciously are illustrated symbolically or specifically. The central panel represents a Paradise that deceives the senses, a false Paradise given over to the sin of lust.

A group of peasants dance in a restless frenzy, accompanied by a flautist in a tree. The scene takes place in a landscape reminiscent of Italy, notably the villa in the background, whose forms resemble those of the architect Andrea Palladio.

Fortuny liked to paint blooming flowers in his scenes. Attracted by their colors, he also studies them separately. His favorites were hollyhocks because of their pleasing hues and the elegant uprightness of their stems, accentuated by the format used here. The ground being devoid of references, their corollas seem to float in an indeterminate space, with more or less pronounced degrees of finish, and the ground layer is visible in certain places of the canvas.

Explore the intersection of art and technology

Q: What impact do you think recent advances in technology have had on artists, their creative process, and the finished artwork?

From my point of view, artists have been introduced to a whole universe of new technological tools, which can influence their creative process to varying degrees, depending on their individual preferences. Some exceptional artists have embraced digital tools to create amazing works. In my opinion, these advancements provide endless opportunities for artists, whether through new artwork or collaborations, or both.

Q: How can technology be used to make art more accessible and inclusive to a wider audience?

Without a doubt, digital technology has the potential to greatly extend the reach of art beyond physical spaces, allowing it to be enjoyed in different languages ​​and contexts. For example, many people who cannot attend exhibitions can still appreciate works of art thanks to digital access. Additionally, digital art platforms such as Samsung Art Store allow individuals to create their own “collection” at home, making art more accessible and inclusive to a wider audience.

Visit the Samsung Art Store in The Frame to explore more of the Prado Museum’s collection.