Every day, both we and our guests find ourselves in the same awkward situation. We ask, “What would you like to see?” or “Which painters are you interested in?” And almost every day, someone replies, “Picasso’s Guernica.” Well… you might want to do a little research before your trip—that masterpiece is in the Reina Sofía Museum, not the Prado!
The Prado Museum is one of the finest art museums in the world. However, like any museum, it cannot showcase everything by every artist. The first thing you should know is that the Prado’s collection is largely shaped by the tastes of the Spanish monarchy. The second is that it focuses primarily on European painting from the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, with its greatest strengths lying in the 15th and 16th centuries. That’s why we wrote this guide: a list of painters you should not expect to enjoy at the Prado Museum.
Picasso
Sorry to disappoint you, but the Prado Museum has only one painting by Picasso, and it is not one of his most famous works. If Picasso is one of the painters you are most interested in, your best option is to visit the Reina Sofía Museum, located just 600 metres (about 2,000 feet) from the Prado.
That said, visiting the Prado first is actually a great idea. Like many of the greatest painters of the 20th century, Picasso was deeply inspired by the Prado’s collection. In fact, he was even appointed director of the museum during the Spanish Civil War, although he never took up the position in person.
At the Reina Sofía Museum, you will find not only Gernika, but also an outstanding collection covering every stage of Picasso’s artistic career. It is the perfect place to understand how he evolved as an artist.
And if you’d like to discover Picasso with an expert guide, we’ve got you covered. Click here to join our Reina Sofía Museum tour!
Dalí
If you’re interested in Surrealist painters, two names immediately come to mind: Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. But if you’re hoping to find their masterpieces at the Prado Museum… once again, you’re in the wrong place! For Dalí (and also for Magritte), you’ll want to visit the Reina Sofía Museum instead.
That said, visiting the Prado first can actually help you understand Dalí’s work. He deeply admired Velázquez, and his fascination with the great Spanish masters left a lasting mark on his own paintings. Also, if you look well, you’ll find a lot of Dalí’s inspiration in the Garden of the earthly delights, by Bosch.
One last thing: here’s a quick pronunciation tip. In Spanish, it’s da-LÍ, with the stress on the last syllable—not DA-li.
Rembrandt
Rembrandt is widely regarded as the greatest of the Dutch painters. If you really want to immerse yourself in his work, your best destination is Amsterdam. Sorry to disappoint!
The Prado Museum has just one painting by Rembrandt. It’s certainly worth seeing, but it is far from being one of his finest masterpieces. If Rembrandt is one of the painters at the top of your list, the Rijksmuseum will offer a much richer experience.
Monet and Van Gogh
Again, wrong Museum. For these painters you want to go to the Thyssen Museum. But, once again, it’s a great idea to come to the Prado first. If you do that, you will find the difference between brushworks and your experience will be much more complete. Also, if you want a guided visit, here we are!
Did you know…? Curiosities about painters
How do they separate the Prado and the Reina Sofía? What is the difference between those two and the Thyssen? Can I combine?
All the questions are to be answered!
How do they separate the Prado and the Reina Sofía?
If a painter is born after Picasso, that goes to the Reina Sofía. Picasso was born in 1881, then all the painters after him go to the Reina Sofía.
What’s the difference between Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen Museum?
Both Reina Sofía and Prado are public institutions. On the other hand, the Thyssen Museum is a private collection. That said, since it is a wonderful one, there is a deal between the owner and the Government so the Museum remains in Spain.
Can I combine?
Yes! There is a special ticket which is called “Paseo del Arte”. You can purchase it at the Prado ticket office, for example.
What can I see at the Prado?
Apart from more than 1800 pieces… You’ve got masterpieces by: Van der Weyden, Bosch, Dürer, Bruegel, Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto, Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Murillo, Sorolla… You really need to come to the Prado. (And you can do it with us if you feel like!).