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Chopin and George Sand exhibition opens in Majorca

21.05.2026 08:30
An exhibition revisiting Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin's stay with French writer George Sand on the Spanish island of Majorca opens in Palma de Mallorca on Thursday.
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849).
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849).Image: Biblioteka Narodowa/Polona, Public domain

Entitled Art Grows from Everyday Life: George Sand and Fryderyk Chopin in Majorca, it is on view at the Gothic Castell de Bellver, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Majorcan capital.

The exhibition combines the story of Chopin, the musical genius, and George Sand, the celebrated French novelist who was six years his senior, with an exploration of their creative work and daily lives.

It also presents the historical context of their stay and offers an in-depth look at Chopin’s 24 Preludes, the masterpiece he composed in Majorca.

According to the website of the Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Warsaw, the exhibition brings together Chopin's and Sand's admiration for the beauty of Majorca, their struggles with everyday life, and the creation of Chopin’s Preludes.

The museum says: "Thanks to the music filling the space, portraits of George Sand and Chopin, a series of 12 engravings by German artist Robert Spies inspired by the Preludes … a cast of the composer’s hand, excerpts from George Sand’s text about her stay in Valldemossa, and the Gothic architecture of the castle chapel, viewers will be immersed in a multisensory experience."

The exhibition, which runs until October 27, is the latest project carried out by the Fryderyk Chopin Museum under a cooperation agreement promoting Chopin's heritage between the National Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw and the Palma city council.

Chopin and Sand arrived in Majorca in October 1838. Their first holiday together became a period of intense creativity and a passionate relationship. Sand worked on a novel while Chopin focused on completing the 24 Preludes, the Polonaise in C minor and the Mazurka in E minor, later known as the "Palma" mazurka.

A portrait of George Sand by artist Auguste Charpentier, around 1837 A portrait of George Sand by artist Auguste Charpentier, around 1837. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The couple's stay was disrupted by a recurrence of the composer's tuberculosis. His illness aroused suspicion and fear in the owner of the villa where they were staying.

The owner demanded that they leave immediately, prompting the pair to seek refuge in the deserted monastery of Valldemossa, about 10 kilometres from Palma.

Under doctors' care and thanks to Sand's attention, Chopin's condition initially improved. But after several weeks of intensive work on new compositions, his coughing fits and lung pain returned.

The rainy weather further aggravated Chopin's health problems, and the couple eventually decided to return to mainland Spain.

Despite the toll on the composer's health, the stay in Majorca marked the maturing of Chopin’s genius, reflected in the 24 Preludes, Op. 28.

An 1847 portrait of George Sand (1804-1876) by artist Jean-Baptiste Bizard, around 1847. An 1847 portrait of George Sand (1804-1876) by artist Jean-Baptiste Bizard. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

(mk/gs)