Discover The Prado Museum
Home To One Of The Most Important Art Collections In The World
Inaugurated in 1819 by King Ferdinand VII and Queen Isabel, the Prado Museum now houses one of the most important art collections in the world.
The museum is now home to almost 8.000 paintings by masters including Titian, Velazquez, Ribera, Murillo, Rubens, Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco, Tintoretto, Veronese, Van der Weyden, Memling, Van Dyck, Jordaens, and hundreds of other well-known artists.
There are now over 25,000 pieces of art, dating back to the 12th Century, housed at the Museum ranging from sculptures, prints, drawings and paintings among other valuable historic documents.
The Prado Museum receives well over 3 million visitors a year due to the prized collections on display, it is often referred to as " the museum of masterpieces".
The Prado National Art Museum form part of what is known as the Golden Triangle of Art that includes the Prado, The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and Museo Reina Sofia, all are located within close proximity of each other in central Madrid.
They have temporary exhibitions showcasing the works of both Spanish and foreign artists.
History of Art at the Prado Museum
When the museum first opened to the public in 1819 it was intended to house exclusively Spanish works of art.
When it opened the collection comprised of just 311 Spanish paintings made up of collections from over 1000 royal residences.
When Charles V succeeded the Habsburg and Bourbon monarchs in the 16th Century, the collections were greatly increased.
Today there is around 25,000 pieces of art of which 8,000 are paintings and 1,000 sculptures in their collections.
Due to the huge amount of works of art now in Prado’s collections, only about 15% is on display at any one time.
One of the most famous works of art at the museum is the one above entitled "Triumph of Bacchus" also referred to as "LosBorrachos" The drunkards in Spanish. This is a masterpiece by Diego Velazquez. Dated to 1629 it was painted by Velazquez by order of King Philip IV and just before the painters first visit to Italy.
Prado Museum Direct Entrance Ticket
