Last Days in Madrid - 1

Part One...

So yesterday was my last full day in Madrid and I was sad to say adios. As most of you know I stayed over the extra day so that I could fit in a visit to the Museo Nacional del Prado and I'm very glad that I did. I am however, going to say that of the 3 museums that I visited it was actually my least favourite. I've thought about why this is for a bit now and I've come to the conclusion that I prefer art done in the last 150-200 years over other art. *pauses for the howls of protest from the art lovers* Now least favourite doesn't mean that I didn't really enjoy myself; I'm thrilled that I got to see amazing works from Reubens (The Three Graces & El Jucio de Paris) are now some of my all time favourites) and to see all of the amazing things that Goya put down on canvas - from political commentary to portraiture - you can always sense the emotion in each painting. He did an awful lot of the royal family, especially Carlos IV - struck me as interesting for some reason. I also have to talk about Tiziano and his pastoral paintings - he was a master and I have to say I went back to those 3 more often than others. 2 others that need mention are Brueghel the elder and of course El Greco. Brueghel did amazing work both on his own (incredible crowd scenes, huge canvases with amazing detail) and also w/ Reubens - their collaborations were amazing. They put each others paintings within the other - and it was seamless, like it was meant to be. El Greco was just so interesting; I think of him as a primitive painter - as in painter of primitives, not unskilled. But again his style & technique are unmistakeable. Overall a very enjoyable experience with a couple of caveats: use the map! it is a very confusing museum and you find yourself criss-crossing your path on many occasions. be well hydrated as they will not let you take water in to the museum with you and just be prepared for the crowds - there were people everywhere - an empty gallery was a surprise and a treat. I am very glad that I stayed the extra day for the experience; I would have fussed over it forever if I hadn't gone. My suggestion? Do the Prado first, Thyssen second & Reina Sofia last - but again, that's just me.