The Prado Museum in Madrid in Spain is one of the finest art galleries in the entire world, particularly rich in European Medieval and Renaissance gems. In fact, if you were to study art history at all, it would become quickly apparent to you that many of the greatest masterpieces to ever come from Europe are housed in the gallery. With so much to take in, we decided to compile a list of some of the must-see works in the museum to help you out. Just find a vacation rental in Spain, drop by the gallery and check out these highlights.
3. The Descent from the Cross, Rogier Van Der Weyden, c.1435
Another visually arresting and vivid work, this painting – with its bright primary colours, gilding and dynamic composition – always grabs the attention of crowds in the gallery; though they are more reasonable crowds than those that swarm the Bosch we mentioned in the last post.
3. The Descent from the Cross, Rogier Van Der Weyden, c.1435
Another visually arresting and vivid work, this painting – with its bright primary colours, gilding and dynamic composition – always grabs the attention of crowds in the gallery; though they are more reasonable crowds than those that swarm the Bosch we mentioned in the last post.
An emotive and elegant piece by the Flemish master, it is a panel painting that depicts the crucified Christ as he is is lowered from the cross, his lifeless body held by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, his mother fainting below in a mirroring pose and other bystanders reacting around the central action.
A swooping motion, as established by the figures of Christ and Mary, moves the viewers through the image and engages the eye. The mirroring also humanises the scene and makes it more emotional by engaging us in sympathy with a mother for the loss of her child. Christ's very limp and pale form also humanises him; again, making the painting more emotional and realistic. It was this use of sentiment that was so admired in Flemish art and this work is a great example of this period in art.
A swooping motion, as established by the figures of Christ and Mary, moves the viewers through the image and engages the eye. The mirroring also humanises the scene and makes it more emotional by engaging us in sympathy with a mother for the loss of her child. Christ's very limp and pale form also humanises him; again, making the painting more emotional and realistic. It was this use of sentiment that was so admired in Flemish art and this work is a great example of this period in art.
4. Danaë, Titian, 1560s
A very different, but equally fascinating, work is Titian's “Danaë”. One of five versions of the same subject by the Venetian master, they are based on the tale of the mythological princess Danaë, who, according to Ovid she was isolated in a bronze dungeon due to a prophecy that her firstborn would kill her father. Danaë was eventually seduced and became pregnant by Zeus who descended from Mount Olympus to entice her as a shower of gold. Danaë is depicted as a voluptuous figure, with her legs open, laying nude on a richly draped bed. The colours and tones are sensuous and the textures touchable. It is, to be sure, a beautiful work from the master that deserves to be viewed in person.
For more works that you must see in person, be sure to read on to the last post in this series.
A very different, but equally fascinating, work is Titian's “Danaë”. One of five versions of the same subject by the Venetian master, they are based on the tale of the mythological princess Danaë, who, according to Ovid she was isolated in a bronze dungeon due to a prophecy that her firstborn would kill her father. Danaë was eventually seduced and became pregnant by Zeus who descended from Mount Olympus to entice her as a shower of gold. Danaë is depicted as a voluptuous figure, with her legs open, laying nude on a richly draped bed. The colours and tones are sensuous and the textures touchable. It is, to be sure, a beautiful work from the master that deserves to be viewed in person.
For more works that you must see in person, be sure to read on to the last post in this series.