Casa de Velázquez

The idea for a similar villa in Spain was raised in 1916 by the composer Charles-Marie Widor who at the time was secretary of the Académie des Beaux-Arts of the Institut de France.

The idea met with support of Alfonso XIII who himself selected a site in Madrid which was ceded to France.

The Foundation was legally founded in 1920, adapted by the architect Léon Chifflot, and opened for the first French artists in 1929.

It was built in a Spanish Golden Age revival style, with a clear inspiration from the works of architect Juan de Herrera.

In November 1936, during the Civil War, the building was bombed and severely damaged due to its location on the frontline in the siege of Madrid.