Top highlights of Prado Museum, artistry beyond imagination

Step into Madrid's crown jewel, the Prado Museum. This artistic powerhouse is a treasure trove of masterpieces, showcasing everything from Italian Renaissance gems to Spanish Golden Age wonders. Opened in 1819, the Prado's stunning neoclassical building houses an jaw-dropping collection of over 20,000 works.

As part of Madrid's "Golden Triangle of Art," the Prado stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums. But it's the Prado that steals the show, boasting paintings by famous artists like Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco.

Whether you're an art buff or just looking to kill a few hours, this quick guide to the Prado has got you covered. Let's dive into Spain's artistic legacy!

Recommended tickets to Prado Museum

Along with a sizable collection of Spanish artwork, the Prado Museum also houses works by Raphael, Titian, and other Renaissance and Baroque masters. To take advantage of skip-the-line access, guided tours, or bundle deals with the Royal Palace of Madrid, purchase Prado Museum tickets.

Prado Museum Highlights

1. Christ Embracing St Bernard, by Francisco Ribalta

This is one of Ribalta's most exquisite compositions. Bernard's euphoric vision is depicted in a way that is expertly calibrated to have the greatest impact. The saint is shown as a gaunt man with a deep set eyes and pronounced cheekbones.

He holds Christ in his arms as a half smile appears on his mouth, conveying the divine rapture that permeates both his body and spirit. St. Bernard's body becomes limp as the Savior approaches him from the cross and must be held by Him. The figures appear tactile in the sharply focused light. Ribalta succeeds in externalising this potent religious experience, making it feel real but not ordinary byexercising remarkable control over the composition and every element.

2. Saturn Devouring His Son, by Francisco Goya

One of the fourteen dark and strange works in the collection of Francisco Goya , the foremost Romantic painter in Spain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is Saturn Devouring His Son.

This Goya picture is based on a Greek tale in which Saturn eats one of his newborn sons out of fear of being overthrown by him, as the title suggests. Prior to being transferred on a canvas, the painting was used to decorate a wall at Goya's home. This allowed it to eventually become one of the most well-known works in the Prado Museum.

3. The Family of Carlos IV, by Francisco Goya

The spring and summer of 1800, not long after Goya was appointed First Chamber Painter, saw the completion of this picture of the royal family of King Carlos IV at Aranjuez and Madrid. It demonstrates the artist's skill at creating distinctive characters. King Carlos IV and Queen Maria Luisa de Parma are seated in the middle of the scene.

The artist's aptitude for analyzing people is demonstrated by the nuanced way in which the characters are defined. In 1814, the Royal Palace in Madrid listed this piece, and two years later, the Prado Museum added it to its holdings.

4. The Third of May 1808 in Madrid/ The Execution, by Francisco Goya

One of the most revolutionary paintings ever produced is The Third of May 1808. It's one of the earliest works of art that show the true horrors of war, as opposed to the romanticized ones that had previously been recognized.

The artwork was commissioned by the Spanish government at the time to honour the country's resistance during the early 19th-century Napoleonic Wars. The Prado Museum also houses a painting titled "The Second of May 1808."

5. Las meninas, by Diego Velázque

Unsurprisingly, one of the most well-known Spanish artists to have ever lived painted Las Meninas, which is the most well-known artwork in Spanish history. Diego Velázquez painted it during his final years, and Prado Museum visitors are still mesmerised by it now.

The interesting Velázquez painting gives us a glimpse of a situation occurring at the Royal Alcazar of Madrid, where the Baroque artist was employed. While the artist is painting the king and queen's portrait, we can see the royal family, members of the household, the artist, and the king and queen's reflection in the mirror. It is a national treasure and a pivotal work of art in the development of Western art.

6. The Three Graces – Peter Paul Rubens

Rubens' painting The Three Graces is a remarkable masterpiece as it was created for the artist's collection. It was finished soon after he wed Helena Fourment, his second wife, who also served as the model for this piece.

Although it was painted to honour Peter Paul Rubens' new love following the death of his first wife, King Philip IV of Spain purchased it in 1666 to decorate Madrid's Royal Alcazar. It ultimately travelled in this manner to the Prado Museum

7. La Maja Desnuda by Francisco Goya

La Maja Desnuda, another masterpiece by Francisco Goya, is a provocative painting that caused quite a stir in its time. This sensual portrayal of a reclining nude woman challenged social norms and artistic conventions. Goya's bold brushstrokes and intimate composition create a striking contrast between the subject's pale skin and the dark background. The painting's mysterious subject, whose identity remains unknown, gazes directly at the viewer with a confident and alluring expression.

8. Knight With Hand on his Chest, by El Greco

This work of art by El Greco has long been a favourite among visitors to the Prado Museum. The artwork displays a hidalgo, a nobility.

The man in the artwork is about 30 years old and is dressed in 1570s-era attire, with a white pipe collar. The neutral background contrasts with the face and the full-bodied sword, while the collar also serves as a framing for the face in the photograph. We only see the face, the sword, and the hand in addition to the surroundings.

9. The Garden of Earthly Delights, by Hieronymus Bosch

One of the most well-known works by the enigmatic Early Netherlandish painter Hieronymus Bosch is The Garden of Earthly Delights . The only thing that is known about the man's life is that he spent the majority of it in s-Hertogenbosch.

His artwork sometimes includes strange imagery, and this masterwork is no exception. Due to the sexual material in the centre panel, this triptych artwork, which depicts the Garden of Eden, Life on Earth, and the Last Judgment, was most likely commissioned by a private individual.

10. The Descent from the Cross, by Rogier van der Weyden

One of Rogier Van Der Weyden’s early Flemish paintings, The Descent From The Cross shows The Deposition of Christ painted on oak panels. Numerous copies of the picture were afterwards produced by various artists in Europe, further solidifying Van Der Weyden's position as one of the greatest painters of his time.

Van Der Weyden does a great job of depicting the feelings of people who were present as Christ was taken down from the cross. Through the use of symmetry, distance, and symbolism, he is able to enhance this emotive scenario. He is also able to honour the group of persons who ordered the painting at the same time.

11. Rubens Painting ‘The Allegory of Peace’, by Luca Giordano

This painting by the famous Baroque master, Peter Paul Rubens, is a perfect example of art imitating life. The Allegory of Peace depicts a chaotic battle between two armies that is eventually won by the goddesses of peace and prosperity. On one side stands the figure of Mars, god of war, with an army of warriors, ready for combat. On the other side stands Venus and Concord, goddesses of love, beauty, and peace.

12. The Adoration of the Magi by Diego Velázquez

This painting is a stunning example of Baroque art. Painted in 1619, this large-scale work depicts the biblical scene with remarkable detail and dramatic lighting. Velázquez's masterful use of chiaroscuro brings depth and emotion to the figures, while his intricate portrayal of fabrics and textures showcases his technical prowess. The painting's composition draws the viewer's eye to the central figures of Mary, Jesus, and the Magi, creating a sense of reverence and awe.

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