Vicente Todolí (above) will leave Tate Modern in the summer. © Pablo Goikoetxea
Vicente Todolí, the Spanish art historian who has instigated a string of modernist exhibitions in a prolific spell as Director of Tate Modern, has alluded to a seven-year itch after announcing that he will step down from his position and leave London.
The impassioned Valencian joined the Bankside gallery from Porto's Museu Serralves in 2002, proceeding to preside over shows including Kandinsky (2005), Dali and Film (2007) and the current Van Doesburg and the International Avant-Garde retrospective.
"In my earlier career I worked for seven years in Valencia and a further seven years in Porto," he reflected.
"It was always my intention to take a pause at that point, but the opportunity to work in London was so compelling that I came directly in 2003. Now I feel the time has arrived to take that pause."
Tate Modern boss Nicholas Serota said his departing charge's "distinctive vision" had "shaped the display of the Collection".
"Vicente has made an enormous contribution to the success of Tate Modern during his period in London," he added.
"The tenth anniversary of Tate Modern in May will be a celebration of his achievement."
