DK Travel : Madrid : Museo del Prado

Museo del Prado

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Housing one of the world’s finest art collections, the Prado is, not surprisingly, one of Madrid’s top tourist attractions. At its core is the fabulous Royal Collection of mainly 16th- and 17th-century paintings, transferred here from various palaces around Madrid. The Prado’s strongest suit is Spanish painting, detailed on these pages, the pick of the artists including Goya with 140 paintings and Velázquez with 50. Highlights of the Italian collection (see Italian Paintings in the Prado) include masterpieces by Fra Angelico, Raphael, Botticelli, Titian and Tintoretto. The Prado owns more than 100 works by Rubens as well as canvases by other leading Flemish and Dutch artists (see Flemish and Dutch Paintings). The museum has undergone major renovations, designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, over the last few years.
For more museums and galleries in Madrid (see Museums and Galleries)

Top 10 Spanish Paintings

1. St Dominic Presiding over an Auto-de-Fé

Pedro de Berruguete (c.1450–c.1504) was influenced by the Italians. This painting (c.1470) shows St Dominic sitting in judgment with members of the Inquisition.
2. The Adoration of the Shepherds

Born in Crete, El Greco (1541–1614) was given his nickname (“The Greek”) after settling in Toledo in 1577. This inspirational 1612 masterpiece was intended for his own tomb.
3. Still Life with Pottery Jars

Francisco Zurbarán (1598–1664) was born in Extremadura but trained in Seville. Best-known for his religious paintings, this still life (c.1658–64) reveals his technical mastery in details such as the gleam of light on the pewter dish.
4. Archimedes

This humane portrait (1630) of the ancient Greek mathematician is by José de Ribera (1591–1652). Like many Spanish artists of the period, Ribera was influenced by Caravaggio.
5. Holy Family with Little Bird

Like Zurbarán, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1618– 82) worked in and around Seville, mainly in the decoration of convents and monasteries. This beautiful work (1650), painted with fluent brushstrokes, is typical of his output.
6. Las Meninas

This virtuoso exercise in perspective (1656) is by Diego Velázquez (1599–1660). Flanking the Infanta Margarita are her two ladies-in-waiting (las Meninas ). The scene also includes the artist, with paintbrush and palette in hand.
7. The Tapestry Weavers

In this superb painting (c.1651) Diego Velázquez’s depiction of Madrid upholsterers is also a complex allegory based on the legend of the weaver Arachne.
8. The Meadow of St Isidore

This 1788 Goya landscape brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of the San Isidro celebrations (see Religious and Cultural Fiestas) and the clear light of spring.
9. Maja Naked

This famous portrait (c.1797–1800) is one of a pair by Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) – the Maja Clothed is in the same room for comparison.
10. The Third of May in Madrid: The Shootings on Príncipe Pio Hill

In this dramatic 1814 painting, Goya captures the execution of the leaders of the ill-fated insurrection against the French. The illuminated, Christ-like figure (see Goya’s “Black Paintings”) represents freedom being mowed down by the forces of oppression.

Practical Information

There’s a museum shop, a café and a restaurant, which is useful as you can spend all day in the Prado. If you want to take in all of Madrid’s art highlights buy a ticket for the Art Walk (El paseo del arte) , a combined ticket for the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza (see Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza) and the Reina Sofía (see Centro de Arte Reina Sofía). It’s available at all three museums and costs 12 euros. Paseo del Prado 91 330 2800 www.museoprado.mcu.es Open 9am–8pm Tue–Sun; Closed 1 Jan, Good Fri, 1 May, 25 Dec Adm €6 (free Sun) Dis. access