La Lechuga jewel to be exhibited in Prado

The green color of the 1,485 emeralds compose La Lechuga will can be enjoyed by visitors of the Museo del Prado in Madrid from March 3 until May 31. The reason to carry out this exhibition is the strong presence of Colombia at the ARCO contemporary art fair, in which it will be the guest country.

Lettuce is a jewel of the 18th century consisting of a sapphire, 13 rubies, 28 diamonds, 168 amethysts and 66 pearls of Taboga (Panama). The author of the piece is the Spanish Goldsmith José Galaz, who took seven years to make it. It owes its name to the intense green of his emeralds, and its history is surrounded by mysteries and legends.

It is about one of the richest and most beautiful religious jewels in Latin American. It is considered the testimony of what happened with the Baroque in goldsmiths land, and how that artistic style found new dimensions in a territory in which the gold and emeralds abound.

A reference in the expedition of the BBVA Ruta of this year

For some people, the la custodia en Madrid exhibition will not be the only time for the people to watch it closely. Participants of the Ruta BBVA formerly known as Ruta Quetzal, can will also see it in Colombia at the Museo del Oro in Bogotá. The participants of this expedition will tour different points of the Latin American country and Spain in July and August.

The BBVA Ruta will start in Madrid, where participants will find a secret route for water of nearly four kilometers through the Canal de Isabel II. The journey will continue through Avila, it will cover some part of the Camino de Santiago, will pass through Ciudad Real, and again from Madrid, it will depart to Cartagena de Indias. Before, they will be welcomed by King Felipe VI. The participants will gain in Bogota, where is the final destiny, a diploma of the Complutense University.

The journalist and adventurer Miguel de la Quadra-Salcedo created this program aimed at young people in 1979 by a suggestion of the King Juan Carlos. The purpose of these trips is to strengthen the cultural exchange among all Spanish-speaking countries, including Brazil and Portugal.

Source: elpais.com