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The capital of Spain, Madrid is a city that is filled with color and vibrancy, and also happens to be quite the hub for art and culture. For any art lovers that are spending some time in the city, these are just a few of the spots that you simply have to visit.
Museo del Prado
Based in a neoclassical building that was built in 1785, the Museo del Prado was initially intended to be a museum for natural sciences, but instead became one of the first public art museums in the world. The highlight of the museum is its royal art collections, especially its court paintings from the 15th to the 17th centuries, although there are plenty of other pieces to see too.
Mad is Mad
Mad is Mad is an art gallery located in the neighbourhood of Chueca, and has been around since 2005. This gallery is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art, hoping to educate the public on this style. The pieces that you will see here are quite eclectic, ranging from paintings and drawings to photography and video art, all of which cover a wide range of different concepts. Mad is Mad also boasts an on-site store where they sell pieces at extremely affordable prices, which is possibly one of the reasons as to why they have been so successful in bringing contemporary art to a wider audience.
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Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Just like the Museo del Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is a part of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of art, and its main collection, which comes from the late Baron Hans-Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, is considered to be one of the most important in the world. This collections consists of 775 paintings, which were brought back to Madrid by the Baron himself. Thanks to the restoration that the museum underwent a few years ago, these paintings are now presented better than ever, thanks to skylights and light marble floors.
The Elba Benitez Gallery
The Elba Benitez Gallery has been running since 1990, and is located in the courtyard of a historical villa, meaning that its surroundings are stunning. This gallery aims to explore the relationship between art and other disciples, including film, architecture, and tourism. There is quite a focus on Latin American art here, but there are many national artists that are also promoted, resulting in quite the diversity of pieces.
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Museo Sorolla
Museo Sorolla is dedicated to Valencia artist Joaquin Sorolla, who was known for his bright, sun-drenched paintings, many of which are now used on postcards and greeting cards thanks to their cheery appeal. The museum is located in a mansion that was originally built for the artist himself, with the art being displayed on the main floor, as well as in the artist’s old studio areas. The rest of the house has been kept in its original state, so that visitors can gain a unique insight into the eclectic personality of the artist.
Madrid is a fantastic city for art lovers to visit, as there is such an incredible range of art to be found here. From the ancient to the contemporary, these museums and galleries will no doubt provide you with so much artistic inspiration.
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