Celebrating its Spanish heritage

Louisiana’s Spanish heritage, often overshadowed by the French influence, comes to the fore beginning Sept. 1 in a $60-million exhibit of religious tapestries, sculptures and paintings on loan from various cultural institutions in Spain, including the Prado.

The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the area that became Louisiana. After a period of colonization by the French, the area was ceded to Spain in 1762. Thirty-eight years later, Spain returned it to France, which then sold it to the United States as part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

As part of the bicentennial celebration, works by Goya, El Greco, Velazquez and other Spanish masters are on loan to the Alexandria Museum of Art, an unprecedented convergence of such treasures, its organizers say. Among the highlights of “The Heart of Spain” exhibit are “Saint Isabel of Portugal Healing the Wounds of a Sick Woman,” a Goya work that was lost for years, and a 16th century work, done by an anonymous artist, known as the Virgin of Christopher Columbus, thought to be a likeness of the explorer.

The Alexandria Museum of Art is at 933 Main St., Alexandria, in central Louisiana. The exhibit, which continues through Nov. 30, is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $17 for seniors 65 and older and $11 for students 17 and younger. For ticket information, call (866) 456-7556 or visit www.heartofspain.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Among other events connected to the bicentennial celebration of the purchase:

* “A Magnificent Obsession,” a display of 72 works by Rodin, on display Sept. 21 through Jan. 4 at the University Art Museum, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. (337) 482-5326, www.louisiana.edu/UAM/html/rodin.html.

* “Josephine: Le Grand Amour de Napoleon,” which includes jewelry, paintings and objets d’art from the life of Empress Josephine from Malmaison, her home outside Paris, will be on display Oct. 10 to Feb. 1 at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum in Baton Rouge. (225) 344-5272, www.lascmuseum.org.