There are places on the world map, in which the concentration of works of art in the unit area is very different from the average.These include the Louvre in Paris, St. Petersburg Hermitage.Few museums in the world, comparable with them.But they are still there.
Prado - Spanish treasure trove
Madrid also has a gallery, which works on the meeting of the European, and especially Spanish artists like no one collection in any city.The Prado Museum has no equal in the richness of the works of Velazquez, Goya, Bosch and many other painters.It can be safely called the main attraction of the Spanish capital, and not to come here - so do not know this country and do not understand its soul.
Prado Museum (Madrid, Spain) - the top of the "golden triangle»
Treasures of art concentrated in the Pyrenees in the three main galleries.The most famous art museums in Spain (Reina Sofia, Thyssen Bornemisza, and the Prado) constitute a kind of "golden triangle", attracting art lovers from around the world.Even tourists who have no particular interest in painting and sculpture, visiting these attractions and seen makes such a strong impression that often change their view of art and the world around.And there is nothing surprising in this.Many gathered here paintings are known worldwide and have a certain magic.Their stories capture, the fate of the authors of tragic and mysterious, like the stories of these works, which have magnetic properties for the uninitiated.Connoisseurs also want to see with my own eyes see it on the web and enjoy reproductions of this discovery.After all, no printing, even the best quality, do not give a complete picture of the skill of the artist.
base collections of paintings
Collection kings kopilas more than three hundred years.Pictures of Spanish and foreign artists were acquired for cathedrals and churches, their subjects were mainly religious, but the expansion of cultural and economic relations of Spain contributed genre diversity.Titian was the favorite painter Carl, with his collection of paintings originates basis of modern exposition.In 1548 the artist received the "secular" order for a portrait of the king in honor of the victory at the Battle of Mühlberg.At the same time acquired the paintings of famous European painters.
Until XVII century contemplation of paintings was available only nobility.Art was considered the lot of favorites, museums and art galleries in Spain, was not publicly available and the first exposure to the royal will was to get natural-scientific direction.For it has already chosen a place - Park Prado in Madrid.Construction began in 1785, but failed to complete it immediately.Charles III died and his successor, King Charles IV did not think the museum is so important, to generously finance it.At the beginning of the XIX century in Spain was attacked by Napoleon, and it was not until the culture.Erected buildings affected by the invasion, moreover, the decision was made about his new appointment.From the palaces of Madrid and Aranjuez here should lead the royal art treasures.
Birth gallery
Napoleonic Wars ended, and four years later, in 1819, opened the Prado Museum in Madrid.Philip II, in contrast to Carlos V, lived in Spain, and a collection of his father moved from Brussels to the capital.Then paintings were relatively small, a little more than three hundred, but they formed the basis of the gallery.
Philip II did a lot to the Prado Museum in Madrid has become one of Europe's finest art collections.Like Charles V, he was a connoisseur of the Italian school, during his reign the collection was replenished works by Tintoretto, Bassano, Veronese and many other artists.Philip paid tribute and Hieronymus Bosch, acquiring his paintings, including the best of them, "The Garden of Delights".Then the walls of the museum decorated with masterpieces by Albrecht Durer and Montigny.
Dutch diplomat Rubens successfully combined public service with the creation of the immortal paintings.Arriving in 1628 in Spain, he sold the painting to King, written here, and his other paintings adorned the Prado Museum in Madrid, later, after the artist's death.
Extend Exposure Time passed, and the status of the royal meeting became too small for the Prado.The exposition has expanded in the second half of the XIX century it was enriched with paintings of the Escorial monastery and some meetings.Since 1868 the Prado - Museum of Spain, belonging to the royal family is not, and throughout the country, with the general status.
was momentous event that occurred in 1927.Philanthropist and one of the greatest collectors of Don Cabanes made a generous gift.Cloth "John the Evangelist", which depicts a beloved disciple of Christ, filling up a rich collection of paintings devoted to the New Testament theme, which is famous Prado Museum in Madrid.Pictures of the artist decorated room allotted for them, along with the works of other Spanish masters.And an extensive selection of old Dutch authors.
New architectural solutions and old
Due to the constant updating and expansion of the exposition at the turn of the last and current centuries was the topical issue of increasing the area.Draft Rafael Moneo was the basis for acceptance of the plan of reconstruction, and as a result of its implementation in 2007, there were new buildings that meet all modern requirements, and thus in harmony with the old part.Prado Museum in Madrid today is a single architectural ensemble, which includes the monastery San Jeronimo, built in the XVIII century, the building of modern construction and the main gallery.The works have cost dearly, their estimates was worth in excess of one hundred and fifty million euros, but the result is worth the money.
combination of old Spanish architecture with the latest achievements of modern architecture produces a joyful experience, indicating continuity of epochs and ages of great art.
Entrance to the museum, and his plan
No tourist visiting Madrid, will not pass the downtown area, where the Prado Museum.A reference point can serve as Plaza Cibeles, Atocha train station, in the same place there is a beautiful botanical garden.
for comfortable viewing and organizing the exhibition administration designed the route.Visitors enter through the gate "Puertade Los Jeronimos", followed by the central hall of the museum.On the ground floor there is a collection of Flemish and Spanish painting.They occupy the entire first floor along with the collection of works by Italian and French artists of the XVI-XVII centuries, located in the north wing.You can enter the museum and through another gate, named after the brilliant Spanish painters Murillo and Goya.
The second floor is completely dedicated to Rembrandt and Rubens.From there, a staircase descends again, starts display of art from the "Golden Age" presented by Velázquez, Murillo, and El Greco.The paintings of the great Goya on both floors, located on the second of his "black paintings".In the central part of the museum presents all periods of European art up to the masterpieces of the XIX century.
To visit the Prado and see the "Three Graces»
Inspect all works of Prado during one visit is almost impossible, some of them stopped for a long time attracting attention.The real art lovers who came here not "for show", repeat visit once, preferring to spend in the gallery all the free time.Like other great treasures of world culture, there is also a work that became a kind of "calling card" on which the expert always tell the Prado Museum in Madrid.Photos and reproductions "Garden of Earthly Delights" Hieronymus Bosch, "Triumph of Death" Bryuhelya, "David and Goliath" Caravaggio became symbols of this gallery.There are also other masterpieces, who come to see the fans of high art from around the world."Descent from the Cross", written by Vander Weyden, Rubens' The Three Graces, "and of course" Black Paintings "Goya can not leave anyone indifferent.
How costly visits to the Prado
Nowadays, international tourism has become available not only moneybags, but also to people of moderate means.Unlike the rich, they have a trip to think about the economy, and, as you know, the love of art is not always directly proportional to the amount of income.To honor the leadership of the Prado should be noted the democratic value of the tickets to this wonderful art gallery.Visit it possible for 14 euros, the most expensive (23 euros), this pleasure will cost those who wish to use the services of a guide, but there are several reliable ways to reduce the cost of communication with the beautiful.Last two hours on Sundays admission is free.Senior citizens and students of the united Europe, teachers and journalists, too, are free.Students from other countries pay a symbolic sum of three euros, it is less than the cost of a cup of coffee in Madrid.In addition, there are other events, which can be found at the ticket office of the museum.The employees are friendly and will always help to choose the most economical time to visit the Prado.Especially interesting is the fact that children are allowed to travel there for free, and find all those who have not attained the age of eighteen.
Infrastructure Prado
addition to exhibition halls, there are all the necessary infrastructure.Modern sculptors have the opportunity to present their works in the gallery, designed for seasonal exhibitions.Created and one of the best in Europe, restoration workshops, where there are facilities for the most careful restoration work for their own exhibits, and to assist other world museum collections.
were not forgotten and visitors.Given that a visit to the Prado and familiarity with its treasures one day may not be enough, and guests spend many hours in it sometimes for several days, they created the conditions for the rest.You can refresh yourself in the restaurant and cafe.There are shops where tourists buy souvenirs.Park adjacent to the exhibition center, it is a place of leisure visitors, tired but happy.
