With almost 200 years of life, The Museo Nacional del Prado is an institution with a clear objective: “the high mission of conserving, exhibiting and enriching” a vast number of works of art that are strongly related to the life of historic Spain.
It is recognized as one of the most impressive and valuable collections of world and European art. If you still do not know the Prado National Museum, here we give you all the information about its history and its mission. In addition, we will offer you a list of the most famous paintings that it houses within its centuries-old walls. And we are going to tell you many curiosities about this museum.
What is the Prado National Museum and where is it
The Prado National Museum is located in a beautiful garden area of Madrid. Specifically in the so-called Paseo del Prado. The Prado National Museum is a non-profit institution that is supported by the Spanish State and which has a series of well-defined objectives.
The first of the objectives of the Museo Nacional del Prado is preserve the most important pieces of Spanish Historical Heritage.
In addition, the Prado National Museum is responsible for exhibiting this heritage in collections that facilitate its enjoyment and study.
The Museo Nacional del Prado also has as its mission guarantee public access to the greatest works of art, through the development of educational programs, research and training of specialists. The Prado National Museum also it contributes to maintaining close collaboration with other museums and cultural institutions.
In addition to this, the Museo Nacional del Prado supports other institutions and the general public with advice and technical services related to the study and enjoyment of Spanish art.
The Museo Nacional del Prado houses pieces dating from the 16th century, and specialists usually say that it is more a museum of painters than of works. This is due to the fact that initially its catalog closely followed the tastes of the Spanish monarchs, who were guided more by their desire to complete the collection on an artist than to follow a current or a period.
For the reasons stated, the works of El Bosco, Tiziano, El Greco, Rubens, Velázquez, Goya abound… and it suffers from large gaps in other important periods of Spanish and European art.
History of the Prado National Museum
The Prado National Museum is located in a large building that was originally built as the Cabinet of Natural Sciences. King Carlos III commissioned the royal architect Juan de Villanueva in 1785. Although construction was completed, many years of uncertain fate and use awaited it.
It would be the grandson of Carlos III, Fernando VII, who would take this mansion and convert it by Royal Decree into the Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures. Before opening to the public in 1819 it would become the National Museum of Painting and Sculpture. Little by little it would adopt its current name, the Prado National Museum.
In the first moment, the Museo Nacional del Prado housed just over 300 paintings, but by the middle of the 19th century it had more than 1,500. All of them came from the Royal Sites, and are the main base of the collections housed in the Museum.
Paintings from the Prado National Museum
As we have already pointed out, the Museo Nacional del Prado is more an institution for painters than for paintings. Nevertheless, It houses some of the greatest works of Spanish, European and world art. Among them can be counted:
- Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights. One of the most enigmatic works in history.
- The gentleman with the hand on his chest by El Greco. A painting that sets the rules of portraits indelibly and that you can enjoy in the Prado National Museum.
- The transit of the Virgin of Keep. With an unforgettable use of light.
- The Holy Family known as La Perla de Rafael. Whose composition and atmosphere launches the representation of the childhood of Jesus to a new level.
- Charles V in Titian’s Mühlberg. With the monarch sheltered by storm clouds of singular beauty that refer to the popular discontent of that time.
- Tintoretto’s Lavatory. An impressive composition of absolute modernity of one of the episodes of the life of Jesus. If you go to Prado National MuseumDo not miss this magnificent work.
- Dürer’s self-portrait. From where the engraver follows us with a hard look everywhere.
- The Three Graces of Rubens. An evidence of the ideal of the female body in his time.
- Goya’s family of Carlos IV. A painting whose lights and shadows tell harsh truths about the monarch.
- And Las Meninas by Velázquez. Perhaps the most famous painting in the Prado National Museumwith a use of perspective that will undoubtedly be studied until the end of time.
Curiosities National Prado Museum
Before talking to you in depth about the most important pieces of this museum We want to tell you some curiosities. These are some things that not even the most knowledgeable know about the most famous museum of Spanish art. Let it surprise you!
- From the Prado? Its name comes from the fact that it was built, in effect, on a large meadow: that of Los Jerónimos, close to a monastery. Despite the pompous names by which it was known at first, popular speech gave it its current name, accepted by Royal Decree in 1920.
- It is not one of the most visited: Although it houses classics of universal painting, the Prado National Museum is only in the 12th place of the most visited museums in Europe. The reason: it is one of the most expensive. However, during the last two hours of its schedule admission is free: you have to go against the clock to see the best pictures.
- original architecture: Its strange architecture for a museum is due to the fact that the Prado National Museum was intended to be a science warehouse, that of Carlos III, who commissioned its construction as a Royal Cabinet of Natural History.
- It was abandoned and was saved by a false fire: At the end of the 19th century, the Prado National Museum was in such a state of abandonment that it was lit up with bonfires. Until the Spanish journalist Mariano de Cavia published the false news of a fire in the museum. Outrage at the “damage” made people worry about the museum, forcing the state to repair and take care of the site.
- Picasso was director: This happened for three years (1936-1939). Although he never got to exercise due to the bombing of the Civil War. Of course, he was always proud of his position.
The most important works of the Prado Museum
We have already told you about some of the paintings that you can find if you decide to visit the Prado Museum. Now we want to talk to you a little more in depth about the most important works of this museum. It is about those pieces that you should not miss if you come here.
Actually we believe that the whole museum is essential. But of course, there are certain paintings that are essential in the history of Spain and even worldwide. Do not miss them on your next visit!
Velazquez’s girls
few know that the real name of this painting was “La Familia de Felipe IV”, although since the 19th century it has been known by the popular name that we all know today. It was painted by Diego Velázquez in 1656 and is considered his masterpiece.
It is a very influential painting that has conditioned many works of later art. Attempts have been made to imitate his style throughout history, and many have made reference to him in their paintings. He has also appeared in series and movies. He is studied from high school to university and there are many essays that analyze and explain it in depth.
It is a work that marked the course of Spanish art and has influenced many artists worldwide.
Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights
It is a work of the artist known as El Bosco, who it was painted at the beginning of the 16th century. The exact date is not clear, although it is known to be between 1500 and 1505.
One of its main features is the number of different elements that appear in this box. You could spend hours looking at it and still discover new things every moment. It is a piece of art that includes many small scenes in each corner of the three tables that make it up.
The painting is usually enjoyed open, although this triptych was also designed to be enjoyed closed. In this version what you see is the creation of the world. A great spherical ball in which the world is being sewn little by little. But what is really interesting is inside.
Throughout the three panels Bosch tells us a story. It speaks to us, specifically, of the last day of creation. Note that we speak again of the creation of the world by the hand of God. On the left panel are Adam and Eve in paradise, while still fulfilling God’s command. In the central panel has come lust, sex, and sins. And in the third panel is the condemnation, hell. It is the punishment for having sinned.
Goya’s Naked Maja
This painting was painted by Francisco de Goya y Lucientes at the end of the 18th century, and it is one of his most valued works. Each critic values it differently, but all agree that It is one of his most important works.
It obviously stands out for the nude, since until now it was much more common for nudes to focus on a Venus. In this case she is a real woman, though it was never known for certain to whom this portrait belonged.
Years later Goya painted the same woman in a very similar pose in The Clothed Maja. It seems that it was not a game of squares in pairs. They were two different moments of its history in which he painted said woman, with no apparent relationship between them.
It is another of the influential paintings that have later appeared in books, movies and series. There is a lot of culture formed around this paintingand works influenced by his great pictorial power will surely continue to appear.
The Three Graces of Rubens
This painting by Pedro Pablo Rubens It stands out, among other things, for its impressive dimensions. It occupies more than two meters high and almost another two wide. A truly impressive piece of work.
Until the time of painting this painting, around the year 1636, works with a mythological theme had always been similar. Female leads were painted ethereally, chaste and pure. Here Rubens captured the sensuality of women. He focused on the curves and flesh of the three women he used as models, leaving the idea of chastity far behind.
As you can see, in the Prado Museum you will find many and very diverse works. There are pictures of the main artists of all history. Many different paintings that marked a before and after in art. However, we recommend that you spend time enjoying these four works and everything they have involved throughout history.
During your visit you can count on explanatory audio guides or guided tours that will clarify everything you need to know about the paintings. These art experts will help you notice things that may be overlooked if this is your first contact with paintings. Enjoy the visit and the art!
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