THE DAUPHIN'S TREASURE
PRADO NATIONAL MUSEUM
COORDINATION, PRODUCTION, ASSEMBLY AND GLOBAL MANAGEMENT
2018
The Dauphin's Treasure, an exceptional collection of "luxury vessels" from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries which Philip V inherited from his father Louis, the Grand Dauphin of France, is one of the most important collections of sumptuary arts in Europe. Renowned for its quality, beauty and historical value, this is a unique collection in Spain and has been transferred from the vault in the basement of the Prado Museum to Room 79B in the Villanueva Building, in the north wing of the second floor. The remodel of the new space, aligned with conservation criteria, was carried out in accordance with the design drawn up by the architecture studio of Rafael Moneo.
The heterogeneity of materials and the diversity of exhibits in the Dauphin's Treasure required a specific display system. Working in partnership with Jesús Moreno y Asociados, responsible for the museographic design, Ypunto carried out the development and technical execution of the display case and all the elements necessary to guarantee the quality and security of the exhibits. The central feature of the project was a 40-metre continuous display case made of curved glass, the result of a meticulous design process consisting in life-size prototyping. In terms of preventive conservation, the project met five key requirements: air cleanliness, thermal and hygrometric stability, light control, robust structures and easy access to the exhibits. Each module underwent rigorous technical tests, including those related to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), vibration, watertightness and air flow control, ensuring compliance with the most stringent conservation standards.
The lighting, controlled by a DALI system, was optimised with directional spotlights and specific lines of light combining opaque and backlit bars to highlight the textures, lustres and transparencies of the exhibits. These bars, carefully integrated into the display case, create the illusion that the exhibits are floating inside the case. An air renewal system was also implemented inside the display case and special concealed mounts were designed for each exhibit. Made in contrasting materials, these mounts highlight the unique features of each piece, making them stand out in the display.
The construction and implementation of the project was carried out with the museum in full operational mode, thanks to agile planning and coordination to guarantee efficient installation without interrupting the visitor experience. The result is a room that combines technical innovation with a sophisticated design, generating a new aesthetic experience for enjoying this extraordinary collection.
The lighting, controlled by a DALI system, was optimised with directional spotlights and specific lines of light combining opaque and backlit bars to highlight the textures, lustres and transparencies of the exhibits. These bars, carefully integrated into the display case, create the illusion that the exhibits are floating inside the case. An air renewal system was also implemented inside the display case and special concealed mounts were designed for each exhibit. Made in contrasting materials, these mounts highlight the unique features of each piece, making them stand out in the display.
The construction and implementation of the project was carried out with the museum in full operational mode, thanks to agile planning and coordination to guarantee efficient installation without interrupting the visitor experience. The result is a room that combines technical innovation with a sophisticated design, generating a new aesthetic experience for enjoying this extraordinary collection.
CLIENT
PRADO NATIONAL MUSEUM
TYPE
MUSEUM/PERMANENT EXHIBITION
PROJECT
JESúS MORENO & ASOCIADOS
LOCATION
-
AREA
130 m²
PHOTOS
©YPUNTO ENDING
Recommended Bibliography
ELENA ARIAS: "LA RESTAURACIóN DEL TESORO DEL DELFíN Y EL DISEñO DE SU SISTEMA EXPOSITIVO: TRATAMIENTOS Y CRITERIOS", EN EL BOLETíN DEL MUSEO DEL PRADO, 2023, T 39.
Dolphin Treasure cup collection
DISPLAY CASE WITH COLLECTIBLE PIECES FROM THE DOLPHIN TREASURE
EXHIBITION ASSEMBLY TECHNICIANS TREASURE OF THE DOLPHIN
DOLPHIN TREASURE EXHIBITION LIGHTING SETUP
MUSEUM VISITOR AND CUP DISPLAYED IN ILLUMINATED DISPLAY CASE
PLACEMENT OF PIECES FOR THE EXHIBITION TREASURE OF THE DOLPHIN
TECHNICIAN PLACING PIECE IN DISPLAY CASE FOR EXHIBITION DOLPHIN TREASURE
DISPLAY CASES WITH PIECES FROM THE DAUPHIN'S TREASURE EXHIBITION AT THE PRADO MUSEUM
ILLUMINATED DISPLAY CASE IN THE DAUPHIN'S TREASURE EXHIBITION AT THE PRADO MUSEUM