How would Velázquez's supreme masterpiece, "Las Meninas", look shrouded in the dim light of a solar eclipse? What happens to the colours, shadows and atmosphere in the works of the great masters of painting when the light changes in a radical and sudden way?
The Spanish National Prado Museum has answered these questions on the occasion of the solar eclipse of 12 August 2026 with a spectacular video that invites viewers to rediscover its collections from a completely new perspective.
A new look at the masterpieces
The project, entitled "The Prado in the light of the eclipse", proposes a progressive transformation of the lighting applied to some of the most iconic paintings in the celebrated gallery. Through this shift in light, the video shows how small variations in illumination can radically alter the perception of colours, shapes and the atmosphere of the paintings, revealing details and nuances that everyday light leaves hidden.
The proposal is not just an aesthetic exercise. The Prado also sees it as a tool for cultural outreach designed to bring its collections closer to new audiences, especially to those who do not usually visit museums, through an accessible and visually striking audiovisual format.
