El Museo Del Prado

History

El Museo del Prado was designed by Juan de Villanueva in 1785 originally as a house for the Natural History Cabinet. However, not too long after its grounds became used as a new Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures. 

Opened to the public in 1819, it showed art of the Spanish Crown, intending to establish the validity of Spanish art to the rest of Europe. In 1868, the museum became nationalized and was given the name, Museo del Prado.

The Prado Wings

El Museo del Prado holds the largest collection of Spanish painting in the world. Housed within the walls of el Museo del Prado are over 8,000 paintings, 1,000 sculptures, 4,800 prints, and 8,200 drawings, as well as many art and historic documents. 

There are many exhibited masterpieces by prominent artists such as Goya, López, Fortuny, Carlos de Haes, Madrazo, Bermejo, Berruguete, Sánchez Coello, and El Greco. 

Upon visiting el Museo del Prado, you will stroll through several different wings housing art specific to each style or artist. Because of the multiple origins of the paintings, the museum classifies works based on the nationality of the original school.

The wings include the Spanish School, El Greco, Diego de Velázquez, Francisco de Goya, Flemish and Dutch Schools, Italian School, German School, French School, Sculpture, and The Treasure of Dauphin. In addition, you can of course take a break from the collection in the souvenir shop or the restaurant. 

Veláquez and Goya at Museo Del Prado 

The work of Veláquez and Goya is the most widely exhibited art in the museum. Of the 140 paintings at el Museo del Prado by Goya, the Parasol and the Crockery Vendor, The Naked Maja and The Clothed Maja, as well as the portraits of The Duke and Duchess of Osuna are of the most renowned. 

Las Meninas 

The most famous piece on display in the whole museum is Veláquez’s Las Meninas. Also included in Room 12, which is exclusive to Veláquez’s work is The Surrender of Breda and The Thread Spinners.

Location, Hours, and Tickets

El Museo del Prado is located at Paseo del Prado, s/n, 28014 Madrid, Spain. 

Visiting hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Admission costs 6 Euros, unless you come between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, in which case you will enjoy a free visit.  

See some of the other best Madrid attractions.