{"id":8167,"date":"2021-06-17T06:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-17T04:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/?p=8167"},"modified":"2024-04-04T20:03:35","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T20:03:35","slug":"prado-museum-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/prado-museum-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Prado Highlights: Famous Paintings & Hidden Gems"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

If there\u2019s one must-see attraction in Madrid, it undoubtedly has to be the Prado Museum<\/a>. It\u2019s undoubtedly one of the world\u2019s greatest collections of art\u2014but with over 2,000 paintings (and hundreds more sculptures, prints, and drawings), it can be hard to know where to start.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For that reason, planning what you want to see in advance is key. So with that in mind, we\u2019ve put together our favorite Prado highlights to help you organize your visit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Exterior<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You may have heard of Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art,” which consists of the city’s most prestigious and equally important art museums<\/a>. There’s the Reina Sof\u00eda<\/a>, the Thyssen, and of course, the Prado.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the must-see Prado highlights and additionally some lesser-known gems. You’ll also discover how and when to visit to make the most of your time at this cultural masterpiece.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Prado Museum history<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Before we get into the Prado highlights, it’s worth taking a step back in time to discover the famous museum’s roots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The enormous building that today houses Madrid’s foremost collection of classical art dates back to 1785. Architect Juan de Villanueva originally designed it under the orders of King Charles III to house the National History Cabinet. It wasn’t until 1819 when Charles’ grandson, King Ferdinand VII, converted the structure into a museum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, what sets the Prado apart from many other European art galleries are its roots as a royal art collection. As a matter of fact, the original collection consisted of paintings and sculptures from royal residences around Spain. Over the next several hundred years, the catalogue expanded as Spanish monarchs snapped up as many European masterpieces as they could get their hands on\u2014many of which still grace the walls of the Prado today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Exterior\r\n
The stately exterior of the Prado, with the famous statue of Vel\u00e1zquez standing watch. Photo credit: Caribb<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Prado Museum highlights<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While the Prado is absolutely packed with masterpieces, there are a few artists and periods that truly stand out above the rest. Without further ado, here are the Prado highlights that no self-respecting art lover should miss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. Diego Velazquez<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

No museum in the world comes close to matching the Prado\u2019s collection of Velazquez paintings. The master from Seville\u2014widely considered the most important Spanish painter of all time\u2014changed painting forever with his revolutionary approach to realism.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Velazquez was especially unusual for his time in rarely sketching or making preparatory studies. Consequently, his paintings have an impressionistic looseness and intimacy that have inspired generations of artists.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Drawing influence from Italian and Flemish art, as well as the bodegones of his native Seville, Velazquez created something truly Spanish, making him one of the undisputed Prado highlights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Don\u2019t Miss:<\/strong> Las Meninas, The Surrender at Breda, The Triumph of Bacchus, Apollo at the Forge of Vulcan, Christ Crucified, Las Hilanderas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Key Work:<\/strong> By and large, Las Meninas<\/a> is Velazquez at his most imperious. At first appearing to be a portrait of the Princess Margarita and her handmaidens, on closer inspection it reveals a complex scene involving Velazquez himself, the King and Queen, and a mirror. We won\u2019t give away too much: working out for yourself what\u2019s going on is undoubtedly part of what has fascinated visitors to the Prado for centuries!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Las\r\n
Las Menina’s is one of Velazquez’s best-known works.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

2. Francisco Goya<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Francisco Jos\u00e9 de Goya y Lucientes<\/a> came from a modest family in a tiny Aragonese village, but rose to become the most important Spanish artist of his generation before losing it all and living out his final years in exile. No other painter has so many works represented hereat the Prado.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Following his trajectory from his early portraits, light and full of life, through to the dark intensity of his final works, is one of our personal favorite Prado highlights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Don\u2019t Miss:<\/strong> The Family of Charles IV, La Maja Desnuda and La Maja Vestida, The Second and Third of May 1808, The Black Paintings,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Key Work:<\/strong> There\u2019s unquestionably nothing quite like the Black Paintings. Painted directly on the walls of his house in the outskirts of Madrid towards the end of Goya\u2019s life, they reveal the inner life of an artist disillusioned by politics and society, losing his health (and possibly his mind), and confronting his own death. Given that, these are dark, twisted scenes which stay with you long after you leave the museum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Oil\r\n
Goya’s Black Paintings were painted directly onto his walls at the end of his life.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

3. Flemish Art<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For centuries, the territories that now make up Belgium and the Netherlands were part of the Spanish Hapsburg Empire. For that reason, the Prado has one of the world\u2019s finest collections of Flemish art.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

From perhaps the world\u2019s greatest collections of Rubens and Hieronymus Bosch to outstanding works by van der Weyden and Rembrandt, discovering these northern masters is without a doubt one of the real joys of visiting the Prado.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Don\u2019t Miss:<\/strong> Hieronymus Bosch \u2013 The Garden of Earthly Delights; Rogier van der Weyden \u2013 The Descent from the Cross; Peter Paul Rubens \u2013 The Birth of the Milky Way and The Three Graces; Rembrandt – Artemisia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Key Work:<\/strong> The Garden of Earthly Delights<\/a> isn\u2019t just one of the Prado Museum highlights\u2014it is, in fact, one of the most mind-blowing works of art anywhere in the world. Its depiction of giant birds, people inside bubbles, strange constructions straight out of a science fiction film, and copious nudity have given rise to a huge number of different theories about its true meaning. It also provided a major inspiration for the surrealism of Salvador Dal\u00ed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Surrealist\r\n
Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights is a complicated but fascinating scene.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

4. Italian Art<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Italian artists have always made up a central part of the Spanish royal collection, from Carlos V bringing Titian over from Venice to serve as his official court painter to Philip IV sending Velazquez to Italy to buy works for the collection. These Italian works served as the model for generations of Spanish painters, a source of influence which lasted for centuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Don\u2019t Miss:<\/strong> Fra Angelico \u2013 The Annunciation; Raphael \u2013 The Holy Family and The Cardinal; Titian \u2013 Equestrian Portrait of Charles V, Venus and Adonis, Dana\u00eb Receiving the Golden Rain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Key Work:<\/strong> To see the influence of Titian\u2019s Equestrian Portrait of Charles V<\/a> you don\u2019t even need to leave the Prado. Just look at Velazquez and Goya\u2019s own equestrian portraits to see the impact Titian made on Spanish art. A masterpiece of power and control, it\u2019s one of the true Prado highlights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Oil\r\n
This portrait of Charles V had a great influence on Spanish painters.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Hidden Gems at the Prado<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

By now you know that the Prado Museum houses one of the world\u2019s most remarkable collections of iconic painters. But with so many works of art to discover, it\u2019s also host to hundreds of hidden gems that you could easily miss while trying to pack in the greatest hits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you really want to sink your teeth into all the museum has to offer, here\u2019s our guide to some of our favorite lesser-known paintings in the Prado, which happen to be some of\u00a0Madrid\u2019s best hidden gems<\/a>, too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. Sofonisba Anguissola \u2013 Portrait of Philip II<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This portrait<\/a>\u00a0of Spain\u2019s \u201cMost Catholic King\u201d might not jump out at you at first. Upon closer consideration, it represents something especially remarkable: a portrait of a 16th-century king, painted by a female artist.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Anguissola was born in Italy, where her talents caught the attention first of Michelangelo and then of the Duke of Alba, Philip\u2019s military commander. He brought her to Spain, where she would serve as a lady-in-waiting to the Queen.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Neglected by art historians for centuries\u2014this very painting was attributed to a male painter until 1990!\u2014she\u2019s increasingly viewed as one of the most influential painters of her generation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Oil<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

2. The Dauphin\u2019s Treasure<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When Philip V came to Madrid from Versailles to take up the Spanish throne, he brought with him his father\u2019s outstanding\u00a0collection of decorative vessels<\/a>. Hidden away for quite some time in the museum\u2019s little-visited basement, its new place of honor is the Toro Norte in the Goya Wing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The finest artisans across Europe made these decorative pieces from crystal, enamel, and precious stones and metals. It\u2019s hard to pick out a favorite, but look out for the incredible dragon-boat on wheels. All in all, an insight into the decadent luxury of the Bourbon royal court.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to find it:<\/strong>\u00a0Toro Norte, in the center of the second floor of the Villanueva Building’s North or Goya Wing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

3. Giambattista Tiepolo \u2013 The Immaculate Conception<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Many visitors to the Prado jump straight from Diego Vel\u00e1zquez to Francisco de Goya, skipping over the 18th century almost in its entirety. While it\u2019s true that some of the Royal Collection from this period can suffer in comparison to the two great masters, much of it deserves a long-overdue reconsideration.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tiepolo was originally commissioned to his\u00a0Immaculate Conception<\/a>\u00a0by King Charles III for a church in\u00a0Aranjuez<\/a>\u00a0around 1767. While the composition owes much to Spanish Baroque painters like Pacheco and Murillo, the end result is very different.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Virgin Mary is shown not as a delicate girl looking piously up to heaven, but as a strong woman looking down to earth and the task ahead of her. Mary becomes an active figure in her own destiny, trampling evil beneath her.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Oil<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

4. Raimundo de Madrazo \u2013 Portrait of Josefa Manzanedo<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Madrazo hails from a great family of Spanish painters\u2014four generations of which are represented in the Prado\u2019s collections!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Over time, his works have fallen somewhat out of fashion. But really, there\u2019s no one quite like him. Painting largely in Paris at the end of the 19th century, his paintings are a feast for the senses.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For example, take\u00a0this portrait of Josefa Manzanedo<\/a>, a Spanish marquess and fellow expat in Paris. She stands facing us, the richness of her dress competing with some remarkable floral wallpaper for our attention. The effect is a kind of sensory overload that\u2019s held together by the minimalism of the composition and the presence of its subject.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A Self-Guided Tour of Prado Highlights<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With so much to see, the Prado can seem almost intimidating\u2014especially if time is short. The following self-guided tour will show you how to check out all the main Prado highlights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

These famous works usually stay in one place; however, keep in mind that the museum curators often move paintings around within the museum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Renaissance Masterpieces (Rooms 49\u201358)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re getting in as soon as the museum opens, head straight to Hieronymus Bosch\u2019s\u00a0Garden of Earthly Delights<\/a>\u00a0(Room 56A) and Rogier van der Weyden\u2019s\u00a0Descent from the Cross<\/a>\u00a0(Room 58). These early Flemish religious masterpieces really benefit from being seen up close. Try to get ahead of the rush of tour groups for the best experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Painting\r\n
Don’t miss the exquisite detail in Descent from the Cross.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Titian & Rubens (Rooms 25\u201329)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

After these Renaissance masterpieces, head upstairs to immerse yourself in the Spanish Golden Age. Start off in the huge central gallery (Rooms 25\u201329). Here you\u2019ll find two foreign painters who had a huge influence on Spanish art: Rubens and Titian.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You might be surprised to find that the Prado holds one of the world\u2019s greatest collections of Titian, but the Venetian master spent much of his career working as a salaried court painter to the Hapsburg kings Charles V and Philip II. The\u00a0Emperor Charles V at M\u00fchlberg<\/a>\u00a0is in the central hall, alongside his portrait of\u00a0Philip II<\/a>\u00a0and just next to his mythological masterpieces\u00a0Sisyphus<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Tityus<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Rubens, too, was another favorite of the Habsburg court who would prove a great influence\u2014and friend\u2014for Diego Velazquez. Wander down the great hall to see his late masterpiece\u00a0The Adoration of the Magi<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Detailed\r\n
Rubens’ Adoration of the Magi will take your breath away.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

El Greco & Vel\u00e1zquez (Rooms 8 & 12)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Double back to discover one of the strangest painters in the Spanish tradition: El Greco. Never fully accepted by the Spanish court, many of his greatest works are in Toledo rather than here in the Prado. Nevertheless,\u00a0Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0The Holy Trinity<\/a>\u00a0(both in Room 8B) are fine examples of his secular and religious work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Now, it\u2019s time for the big one: Diego Velazquez. Almost universally acclaimed as the greatest Spanish painter of all time, his impressionistic style, questioning of reality and the intimacy of his portraiture have inspired artists through the centuries. You’ll find his great masterpiece, Las Meninas<\/a>, in Room 12.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Oil\r\n
El Greco’s famous Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Goya & the Black Paintings (Rooms 32, 36, & 67)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Head to Room 32 to meet the final Spanish master of our tour of Prado highlights: Francisco de Goya, and his famously ambiguous\u00a0Family of Charles IV<\/a>. Nearby are the Second<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Third of May 1808<\/a>, two powerful, disturbing depictions of the horrors of war.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nearby in Room 36 are his scandalous\u00a0Maja Desnuda<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Maja Vestida<\/a>. Finally, head back downstairs to see his late masterpieces. The Black Paintings (Room 67) are some of the strangest and darkest works of art anywhere in the world, painted directly on the walls of Goya\u2019s house in the outskirts of Madrid after the collapse of his public career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Dark\r\n
One of the Black Paintings by Goya depicting a rather somber version of Madrid’s famous San Isidro pilgrimage.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Visiting the Prado: Practical information<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Prado opens every day at 10 a.m. It closes at 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and at 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. General admission won’t cost an arm and a leg, though there are reduced-price tickets available for those who qualify, so check . Entrance is free during the last two hours of the day: 6\u20138 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5\u20137 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The main entrance to the museum is the Puerta de los Jer\u00f3nimos entrance on the northeast side of the building. If you need to purchase day-of tickets, you can do so at the onsite box office nearby.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Scene\r\n
The Jer\u00f3nimos Church and the statue of Goya are both located near the main entrance to the museum.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you want to avoid the lines and the crowds, try to arrive as soon as the museum opens at 10 a.m., or during the lunchtime lull around 2 p.m.\u00a0Buying a ticket<\/a>\u00a0in advance online means you can head straight through security without having to wait in line at the box office.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While the free entry hours<\/a> can be tempting for travelers on a budget, bear in mind that many others will have the same idea. Show up at least 45 minutes before the free hours start to avoid spending precious museum time in line!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Once you\u2019re in the Prado, make sure to pick up a free map from the information point by the entrance. As well as a plan of the museum\u2019s layout it also includes a handy guide to the\u00a0main Prado highlights and where to find them. Take a moment to work out your route to make the most of your time inside.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What to Do Near the Prado<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Prado is conveniently located near some of Madrid’s top sights. Here are some great additions to your itinerary after exploring the museum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n