I recently discovered—perhaps a little late—the work of Spanish artist Manolo Valdés. His monumental sculptures, true muses in their own right, have adorned museums and gardens across the world. Now in his eighties, Valdés is exclusively represented by Opera Gallery and the Contini Gallery in Venice.

Valdés draws profound inspiration from nature, which he deeply admires, and his sculptures always fit perfectly in the environment they’re in:

“My sculptures are designed to have multiple lives and personalities throughout the seasons. They blend seamlessly with the vibrant colors of autumn, the snow and icy light of winter, the blossoming flowers of spring, the freshness of trees in bloom, and finally, the lush greenery of summer. Each season brings countless surprises!”

Valdés in Paris

In 2016, several of his Cabeza sculptures were exhibited at Place Vendôme in Paris.

In 2020, a collaboration between Opera Gallery, which has represented Valdés since 2016, and the George V Committee transformed Avenue George V into an open-air gallery.
Valdés unveiled ten monumental sculptures, each soaring four meters high with a six-meter wingspan. The Monumental Égéries series showcased his deep fascination with materials, which he transformed in striking and expressive ways—some crafted from striated resin plates, others from iron, and several glowing in vivid shades of blue, pink, or red. The sculptures embodied various forms, including the Reina Mariana and Infanta Margarita series, inspired by Diego Velázquez’s iconic masterpiece Las Meninas. The latter reached an imposing height of two meters, evoking the presence of the Spanish Infanta, Margaret Theresa.

“La Rêverie” in the French Riviera

In 2021, alongside the Monaco Masters Show, Opera Gallery extended its reach to the parks of the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc and Château Saint-Martin & Spa with La Rêverie, an open-air exhibition featuring Valdés’ works. Thirteen monumental sculptures punctuated the breathtaking landscapes of these two exceptional locations.

Reflections of Nature in New York

Even in 2012, Valdés was already making waves with his exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden. His Reflections of Nature series featured seven immense sculptures rising from the grass, including the striking Butterflies, a testament to his ongoing dialogue with nature and the monumental.