Círculo de Bellas Artes

Círculo de Bellas Artes

The Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid (CBA) is a private non-profit cultural entity declared “Center for the Protection of Fine Arts and Public Utility”. Since its creation, it has developed an important work of international scope in the field of cultural creation and dissemination. One of the most important private cultural centers in Europe, the CBA is characterized by its open attitude towards the most outstanding and innovative artistic currents. It is a multidisciplinary center in which activities ranging from plastic arts to literature through science, philosophy, cinema or performing arts are developed.

This institution was founded in April 1880 thanks to the efforts of a small group of artists. In its origins it was a fairly restricted society, but with diffusion of cultural scope. Its first president was the painter Juan Martínez de Espinosa. Between 1880 and 1926, the Circle changed its headquarters ten times: Barquillo, 5; Wood, 8; Wolf, 10; Abada, 2; Freedom, 16; Wafer, 11; Alcalá, 7; Alcalá, 14 and finally Alcalá, 42. During the first years of the twentieth century, relevant figures of the cultural life of the time passed through the CBA board -such as Jacinto Benavente or Carlos Arniches-, while the young Picasso attended his painting classes as a student and Ramón María del Valle-Inclán frequented its salons.