Celebrating Spanish art in the 20th century, Museo Reina Sofía is a place to spend hours devouring all of the Miró, Picasso, and Dalí’s in Madrid.
Housed in an 18th century hospital, the museum has a collection over 22,400 works. The most legendary work of art is surely Guernica by Pablo Picasso, named for a Basque town that was bombed by the German Luftwaffe, who allied with Francoist forces in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War – over 2,000 people died. Picasso hoped the painting wouldn’t be shown in Spain until it became a democracy, so it was located in New York until 1981. You cannot photograph this sacred painting, but there are others in which you can snap a memory of.
During the same time period, Salvador Dalí was creating his own compilation of surrealist masterpieces, such as the famous work: The Great Masturbator.
Beware, contemplating the Endless Enigma might leave you with more questions than answers.
Or fancy one of the many portraits of his done in a multitude of styles, for a return to normality.
A sculpture by Dalí, Portrait of Joella is also on a view, a contrast of colors and emotion.
Other contemporary works by names that are not so well known are alluring, too.
Perpetually ticking, Object to be Destroyed was renamed and reworked to Object of Destruction when an artists lover left him.
To view inside a diorama, you must peek into the slat which shows a different view from each angle, a fun an interactive piece.
Don’t miss a trip to the balcony, day or night there are lovely views out upon the city.
Here you will find a trio of mystical beings sitting al fresco, as guardians of the night.
Good to know:
+Take advantage of the many free of charge days and times, including Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 7-9 PM, and Sundays 1:30-7PM.
+Renia Sofia is just one of the museums in the Golden Triangle of Art, a walking distance trio of renowned culture including Museo Nacional del Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza.
I was definitely impressed by the array of masterpieces, with Guernica the most impressive.
What I remember most is visiting and seeing the “vastness” of Guernica in person was a moving experience, and how one could feel Picasso’s rage and sorrow somehow “reach out” from the painting.