40 years since the recovery of The Marchioness of Santa Cruz
A defining moment in the history of Uría Menéndez
April 16, 2026On 9 April, we marked the 40th anniversary of the recovery of Goya’s The Marchioness of Santa Cruz – a milestone that reshaped the protection of Spain’s historical heritage and became part of Uría Menéndez’s history.
Rodrigo Uría – together with his team – played a central role in this process, devising the pro bono strategy that secured the painting’s return to Spain in 1986, following complex legal proceedings in the English courts.
The painting’s journey is extraordinary. Created by Goya in the late 18th century, it nearly ended up in the hands of Hitler as a gift from Franco during the Second World War, although it ultimately remained in Spain. Decades later, in 1983, it was sold and unlawfully taken out of Spain using falsified documentation. After passing through Zurich, Los Angeles and various international corporate structures, the painting resurfaced in London, where it was due to be auctioned at Christie’s. Rodrigo Uría and his team then set in motion an unprecedented legal strategy that ultimately resulted in its recovery in April 1986.
To mark the anniversary, the Museo del Prado has organised a series of commemorative initiatives in collaboration with Uría Menéndez. These include a lecture by Miguel Satrústegui – then Technical Secretary-General at the Ministry of Culture under Javier Solana – who offered a compelling first-hand account of the events.
In addition, for a limited time only, the Museo del Prado is displaying the original alongside one of its copies in Room 38, offering a rare opportunity to view both works together and appreciate the painting as it was when the copy was made.
The Prado has also launched a highly recommended interactive feature exploring the painting’s full history and complex journey:
https://www.museodelprado.es/museo/publicacion/la-historia-de-la-marquesa-de-santa-cruz/61051593-388e-0205-bd07-4178d3c9a7e8
If you would like to watch Miguel Satrústegui’s lecture at the museum on 13 April 2026, you can do so here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVd_mOZVMzY
Forty years on, the painting’s presence at the Prado continues a source of collective pride, reflecting a tradition of legal excellence, sound judgement and a deep commitment to cultural heritage that defines our practice at Uría Menéndez to this day.