KPBS Evening Edition

San Diego Museum Of Art Unveils New Masterpiece

By Dwane Brown / KPBS Evening Edition Anchor/Reporter

Published January 20, 2015 at 2:46 PM PST

This story was published more than 9 years ago.

An oil painting titled "Saint Francis in Prayer in a Grotto" by Francisco de Zurbaran is displayed at the San Diego Museum of Art.

The San Diego Museum of Art unveiled its latest acquisition on Tuesday — an oil painting from the 17th century called "Saint Francis in Prayer in a Grotto," by Francisco de Zurbaran.

Roxana Velásquez, museum director, said it's a masterpiece from one of the greatest painters during the "golden age" of Spanish art.

"Zurburan who is the perfect representation of the baroque in Spain is very well known by his monks," Velazquez said. "We all know that California is very well known by the Franciscan missions."

Become a KPBS sponsor

Conrad Prebys and Debbie Turner gave the museum $1.5 million to purchase the painting. It joins the museum’s large collection of Spanish art and will be on permanent display to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Balboa Park.

The museum is also offering free admission during certain weekends in January and February as part of the park’s centennial celebrations.

Tags

Dwane Brown

Brown started his career with KPBS in the early '90s as a radio anchor and reporter before expanding his broadcast news experience at CBS radio and television in New York. He’s been a news director, anchor, reporter and correspondent in San Francisco and has worked as a writer, producer, assignment editor and talk show host. He returned to KPBS in 2005. As the former anchor for KPBS Evening Edition, Brown provided an in-depth look at issues and stories relevant to San Diego. He spent nearly seven years as anchor/host of Morning Edition on KPBS Radio. Between 2006 and 2010, the San Diego Press Club named Brown "Best Morning Newscaster" in San Diego Radio. In 2006, the Society of Professional Journalists also named him "Best Morning Newscaster." During that time he managed and taught a two-week high school boot camp for aspiring radio reporters at KPBS in conjunction with the California Chicano News Media Association. Brown studied English/Journalism at San Diego State University and is a Fast Trac graduate from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He’s a popular public speaker and Toastmaster International member. He’s been master of ceremonies for the American Red Cross, VA Medical Center San Diego, Urban League, San Diego Office of Emergency Services and numerous foundations. Brown is also a voice actor for movie, documentary, television, radio and Internet projects.

See stories by Dwane Brown