An art exhibition from the Spanish Prado National Museum opened in Beijing on Thursday, with visiting Spanish King Juan Carlos I attending the opening ceremony.

Fifty-two paintings including effigies of famous people, religious and historical topics, mythological anecdotes, still life and landscapes were on display.

The artworks were painted by Europe's most important artists from 16th to 19th century, including Titian, leader of the 16th-century Venetian school of the Italian Renaissance.

"This exhibition is a precious gift from the Spanish people and I believe it will become a testimony of the friendship between Chinese and Spanish people," said Fan Di'an, curator of the National Art Museum of China, the venue of the art show.

The Director of Prado National Museum Miguel Zugaza said 70 percent of artwork collections of his museum came from the Spanish royal family.

This is the first official presentation by a Spanish national museum in China and part of an extensive program to celebrate the Year of Spain in China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2007)