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International Art Treasures Web Magazine June 2004 |
The Prado
In the heart of beautiful Madrid one will find the greatest collection of Spanish painting anywhere in the world at The Museo Nacional del Prado. Bosch, Rubens and Titian are a major focus of the collection at the world famous Neo-Classical architectural masterwork.
Juan de Villanueva designed the building in 1787 but it wasn't opened to the public until 1819. At first it was meant to be a National History Museum but eventually it became the home of the incredible Art Collections of the Hapsburg and Bourbon Royal Houses. The Museum was nationalized in 1868 after Queen Isabella II was deposed. Diego VelázquezThe Prado holds nearly half of the extraordinary work of Diego Velázquez. The artist belonged to the Siglo de Oro or The Golden Age of Spanish Painting. The Grand Opening of the Prado included an exhibition of 44 of Velázquez's works.
Some believe the greatest work ever painted was Las Meninas. This piece is among the most copied in the world including 44 variations made in homage to Velázquez from his strong admirer Pablo Picasso. Diego Velázquez was described by Manet as "The Painter of Painters". Las Meninas is both a royal portrait and a self-portrait of the artist at work. The background is significant for the addition of two works likely meant to be those of Velázquez's good friend Peter Paul Rubens. The King and Queen of Spain are included in a mirror image, also in the background. The foreground is of the Infanta Margarita who is attended by the Queen's Maids of Honor, Doña María Agustina Sarmiento kneeling before the young girl and Doña Isabel de Velasco who is behind the Princess. At the time it was not unusual for Royal Courts to include dwarfs as attendants and Velázquez reflects that in the image which includes Mari-Bárbola and Nicolasico Pertusato. The image on Velázquez's canvas is forever hidden from view and a cause of speculation in the art world. Is it a portrait of the King and Queen, reflected in the mirror or of the young princess and her attendants? The viewer will never know but is welcome to speculate. Velázquez in the self-portrait, painted in 1656 - 1657, sports the Order of Santiago in the image of the red cross. The artist was not knighted until 1659. It is believed the red cross was added to the work at a later time. Lore has it that upon learning that Diego Velázquez had died the King demanded Les Meninas be brought to him and he personally picked up a paintbrush and added the cross in red. Velázquez traditionally did not sign his work, however he often included a blank piece of paper that often didn't have any other purpose perhaps that was his signature. He was not a fan of allegorical themes but of realistic portrayals. Any visit to the Prado must include time spent viewing their impressive collection of the Spanish master's works. The Graphoscope
Beginning June 22 and running until September 26, 2004 Prado visitors will be able to enjoy the fabulous exhibition The Graphoscope: A Century of Looking at the Museo del Prado (1819 - 1920). Photographers over this century long period include Clifford, Laurent, Lacoste and Moreno. Several of the images in this collection haven't ever been previously published. Prints and lithographs are also included. A highlight is the Graphoscope created by J. Laurent and Cia from 1882 and 1885. It is compromised of 72 separate images and was to be viewed through a hand-rotating device called The Graphoscope. The Prado has restored both the photograph and the machine as part of the exhibition. The Prado should be on every art fan's list of places to visit to enjoy their splendid collection of magnificent master works. |
