DK Travel : Barcelona : Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

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Incorporating one of the most important medieval art collections in the world, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) is housed in the majestic Palau Nacional, built in 1929. The high point of the museum is the Romanesque art section, consisting of the painted interiors of churches from the Pyrenees dating from 11th and 12th centuries. There is also the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, with works from the Gothic period to the Rococo; the Cambó Bequest, with works by the likes of Rembrandt and Zurbarán; and a collection of works by Catalan artists from the early 19th century to the 1930s.
For more sights in Montjuïc seeMontjuïc For information on the Font Màgica, located at the bottom of the steps that lead up to the Palau Nacional, see Font Màgica

Top 10 Exhibits

1. Interior: Sant Joan de Boí

Painted in French Romanesque style, this is one of the museum’s most complete church interiors (c.1100). The boldly kinetic Stoning of St Stephen is set beside a dramatic depiction of heaven and hell. Other scenes depict saints in heaven, animals and minstels.
2. Frescoes: Sant Climent de Taüll

Among the most important examples of European Romanesque is the Taüll interior, a melange of Byzantine, French and Italian influences. The apse is dominated by Christ in Majesty and the symbols of the four Evangelists and the Virgin, with the apostels beneath.
3. Virgin: Ger

This outstanding 12th-century sculpture came from a series that evolved in Catalonia and the Pyrenees. Mary sits rigid in flowing robes, acting as a human throne for the young Christ, who raises his hand in blessing.
4. Crucifix of Batlló Majesty

This splendid, mid-12th-century wooden carving depicts Christ on the cross with open eyes and no signs of suffring, because he has defeated death. He is clothed in royal robes .
5. Murals: Santa Maria de Taüll

The well-preserved interior of Santa Maria de Taüll (c.1123) gives an idea of how incredibly colourful the Romanesque churches must have been. The symbolism concentrates on Jesus’s early life, with scenes of the Wise Men and John the Baptist.
6. Apse: Santa Maria d’Aneu

This late 11th-century apse is dominated by a seraph, its six wings disconcertingly covered in eyes. The Latin inscription reads “Holy, holy, holy” as the angel reaches out with burning hot coals to purify the words of the prophets Isaiah and Elijah.
7. Head of Christ

This life-sized work (c.1352) of stone and wood reveals a Gothic Christ consumed by pain and ecstasy. It is thought to be by court sculptor Jaume Cascalls.
8. The Madonna of the Councillors

Commissioned by Barcelona’s city council in 1443, this work by Lluis Dalmau is rich in political symbolism. It reveals the head councillors, supported by saints and martyrs, kneeling before a regally enthroned Virgin.
9. Retaule de Sant Agustí

This altarpiece (1463–85), by master painter Jaume Huguet, is a dramatic illustration of the wealth of the medieval Church.
10. Cambó Bequest

A collection of mostly Renaissance and Baroque art, donated by Francesc Cambó. Work by Flemish artists such as Rubens reveal the transformation from Gothic to Rennaissance, while the darker visions of Goya and Zurbarán represent Spain’s 18th-century Golden Age.

Practical Information

On the first floor there is a top-notch restaurant in impressively elegant surroundings.There’s also a great café in the Oval Room. There are spectacular city views from the entrance to the huge glass foyer. Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc Metro: Espanya 93 622 03 76 www.mnac.es Open 10am–7pm Tue– Sat, 10am–2:30pm Sun Adm: €8.5; con €6; (valid for two days) free first Thu of the month Guided tours by appointment DA