This exhibition reviews the history of the family who came from Ireland to modernize Valencia.

In 1820 Thomas Trenor Keating, a young Irish immigrant,  landed in Valencia in search of fortune.  “Facta non verba”  has being his motto ever since and today he is recognized as the founder of the bourgeois dynasty that from then until now, has influenced the fate of this city.

The Exhibition has two themes. On the one hand, the anniversary of the Valencian Regional Exhibition held in 1909. On the other, the symbolic exhumation of its main inspirer, Thomas Trenor, the member of a distinguished bourgeois family in 19th and 20th century Valencia, originally from Limerick (Ireland).

The exhibition recreates the evolution of this business and industrial dynasty (one of the most relevant in the 1800s), 1909 being the starting point, and describes Valencia and Europe at the time. It presents both the inside and outside of the bourgeois world: their homes, companies, streets, habits, costumes, hobbies, and businesses.

In 1909 the world of business and industry in Valencia opened up to the world. The Trenors were a source of inspiration for the event but basically they embodied the long modernisation process of Valencian society, culture, and economy. They also devised a project for 20th century Valencia. This exhibition seeks to reconstruct the 19th century bourgeois world and explore Valencia’s adaptation to the new industrious life and society styles. In a way, the Trenors are our local Buddenbrooks. With help from a family member, Tomás Trenor Puig, we have been able to recreate that universe with photographs, furniture, utensils, toys, original and copied documents, explanatory panels, music, and cultural and literary contextualisation.

Past times will be recreated at Thesaurus room: 1909 but also the whole 19th century. Visitors will first see the Regional Exhibition theme: The exhibition is a flashback tour, first travelling to Limerick, the dynasty’s original motherland. From Valencia to Ireland, then. And then from Europe back to Valencia.

In addition to the research conducted by the curators, Justo Serna and Anaclet Pons, the catalogue includes works by Tomas Trenor Puig, Josep Vicent Boira, Alejandro Lillo, Amparo Ruiz and  Concha Ridaura.

Useful info

“Trenor. An exhibition of a bourgeois family.” / Until 25 October 2009 / Free entrance

• www.uv.es
• La Nau/ Calle Universitat 2, Valencia.
• Phone: (+34) 963 864 620

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