From the Prado Museum, one of the world’s best, to the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, visitors to Madrid can indulge their love of art by viewing works of the great Spanish painters and other European masters in three distinct venues.
The Prado Museum
Known officially as the Museo Nacional del Prado, it contains one of the best and largest art collections in the world. So large, in fact, the museum recommends various tours of 15, 30 and 50 works which cover the most important artists represented, to keep the visitor from being overwhelmed. There is world-class Italian Renaissance art (especially Titian), Northern art, including works of Rubens and Bosch, and masterpieces of Spanish art from El Greco, Velazquez, and Goya.
Not to be missed is Las Meninas (Maids of Honor) by Velazquez, a masterpiece of perspective and light which depicts the artist painting a portrait of the royal family. The daughter of King Felipe IV and Queen Maria de Austria stands in the foreground surrounded by her servants. The viewer stands where the King and Queen are supposedly positioned, according to their “portrait” that is reflected in the mirror at the back of the room in the painting. Another must-see painting is Goya’s politically-charged The 3rd of May 1808, depicting the execution of innocent Madrid citizens protesting French occupation. The Prado Museum is located in east Madrid on the Paseo del Prado, and is open every day except Monday. Admission is free on Sunday.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Located diagonally from the Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is more commonly known simply as the Thyssen. The museum holds the impressive European art collection of the late Baron Thyssen of Germany. The Baron was married to a former Miss Spain, who wielded considerable influence in deciding where the home of the Baron’s collection should ultimately be located. The museum includes major and minor works that complement the paintings of the Prado, including a large collection of Impressionism. The museum is open every day except Monday.
Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Situated across from the Atocha train station on Santa Isabel, this museum of modern art was once a public hospital. It is easily identified by the distinctive glass elevator that transports visitors to its four floors of art galleries. The museum is popular for its impressive collection of works by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, the most famous of which is Picasso’s GuernicaIn the monumental 11 ft. x 26 ft. canvas, Picasso’s abstract, Cubist style portrays the destruction and horror of the 1937 bombing of innocent civilians in the Basque region of Spain. The black and white painting can be perceived as a tribute not only to those who died at Guernica, but broadly as a tribute to all those who suffered and died in World War II. The Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is open every day but Tuesday. As with the Prado, admission is free on Sunday.
 |
 |
 |
