Golden Triangle of Art

What is more dangerous than to become a poet? Which is, as some say, an incurable and infectious disease.

Miguel de Cervantes Don Quixote

The Prado

*Free Times: Monday- Saturday 6-8pm; Sundays and Holidays 5-7pm

This museum was my favorite. It boasts that it houses the best single collection of Spanish art, and I wouldn’t argue the point. But not just Spanish art, The Prado has an incredible collection of European art. The Prado focuses on classic art between the 12th and early 19th centuries. And, in my opinion, if you are only going to hit one art museum in Madrid (which would be a major pity) it should be this one.

Super Famous Works: Las Meninas by Velasquez; The Descent from the Cross by Weyden, The Garden of Earthly Delights by el Bosco, The Cardinal by Rafael, The Three Graces by Rubens, The Third of May 1808 in Madrid by Goya, The Trinity by el Greco

Dave’s Favorite: Saturn by Goya (not a big surprise shock, movement, interest and a little grotesque-ness is right up Dave’s alley) or Las Meninas. There’s a reason why Velasquez is Spain’s favorite classic artist, the guy is a genius with a paintbrush; and the story he tells with the point of view in this one is masterful.

My Favorite: I’d probably agree with Dave on Las Meninas, it’s impressive, it’s innovative, it’s provocative. And I loved looking at The Garden of Earthly Delights, that is a painting you could study for hours.

 

 

Reina Sofia

*Free Times: Monday and Wednesday- Saturday 7-9pm

This was Dave’s favorite museum. And it was awesome. It is Spain’s national museum of 20th century art, so if modern art is your thing, Reina Sofia is the museum for you. Judging by the tourist obstructions, most of the people were there to see Picasso’s Guernica, which is an amazing work of art. The work is impressive on its own but I wish they were able to provide more context within the museum. Since Dave sucked me into the Dali-love a while back, we were mostly there for all things Salvador Dali. And as his works always give you a lot to think about it was both an exercise and a joy. However, just judging on the type and display of Dali’s works, this museum paled in comparison to the Dali museum in Tampa, Florida (which, on its own, justifies visiting Tampa).

Super Famous Works: Guernica by Picasso, Still Life by Dali, Allegory for the Bull and the Bullfighter by Alberto, The Invisible Man by Dali, Memory of the Child-Woman by Dali, Free by Kandinsky, Drawing by Ferrant, Portrait II by Miro, Woman in a Garden by Picasso, From Inside the Cave by Granell

Dave’s Favorite: Surprisingly not a Dali, Dave’s favorite was A World by Angeles Santos. I had never seen or heard of this painting before. But this was David’s second time at the museum and he came looking forward to seeing A World, when we walked into the room he asked me to guess which one his favorite was and it was an easy guess. This painting is beautiful and trippy and fascinating and a little emotional and everyone should look it up right now.

My Favorite: I was a big fan of Dali’s Memory of the Child-Woman and The Invisible Man. Although, my favorite part of the museum was how provocative and contextual the works were. It was easy to spot recurring themes in every room. The evening after visiting the Reina Sofia we ended up watching several documentaries on the Spanish Civil War and Franco that time shaped current Spain in every way and there was so much I was barely familiar with, so much I still don’t know.

I also loved the maze of doors.

Thyssen-Bornemisza 

*Free Times: Monday 12-4pm

If Prado is classical and Reina Sofia modern, the Thyssen is the combination of both and covers what they miss. Housing the collection acquired by the Spanish government from Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza as well as the private collection of the baron’s widow, Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, this museum focuses on Spanish work but includes primitive Italian works, Dutch (Dave makes fun of me for having Rembrandt and Vermeer as my favorite artists. I may be unoriginal, but seriously the pearlescence and the depth of humanity these painters create outshines all other paintings), Impressionists, Expressionists, and other European and American modern works.

Super Famous Works: Dream caused by the Flight of a Bee around a Pomegranate a Second before Wakening Up by Dali, The Anunciation by El Greco, “Les Vessenots” in Auvers by Van Gogh, Rotating House by Klee, Portrait of a Peasant by Cezanne, Jesus Among the Doctors by Durer, Quappi in a Pink Jumper by Beckmann, Harlequinn With a Mirror by Picasso, The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt by Pittoni, Portrait of Henry XIII by Holbein, Green on Maroon by Rothko.

Dave’s Favorite: surprise, surprise Dave’s favorite was Dream caused by the Flight of a Bee… and okay, there’s a lot going on in that painting and it is incredible, good choice Clive.

My Favorite: Portrait of Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland by John Singer Sargent. This painting takes up an entire wall, but even if there were other paintings next to it I don’t think I would have noticed them.