Museum Hop

Museum Hop

We went to three (technically four) museums over the course of the three weeks, and still there were many more we wanted to visit! Our first stop was Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo, which I guess you could say is Madrid’s equivalent of IMMA. The building is huge and while the grounds aren’t green like in Dublin, the art there says a lot! There were modern twists on old paintings and an expression of media and modern society through art, amongst many other things. If museums bore you but you want a taste of people minds and ideas then this museum is a must!

 

I came across a modern interpretation of Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini portrait which originally dated back to 1434. I remember studying it in Art during my Leaving Certificate and coming to my own conclusion as to whether the woman in painting was pregnant or not. It was a surprise to stumble across this interpretation in the Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo. The question raised was whether this woman’s dress was just large and ruffled or was she pregnant. And the artist believed that she was pregnant.

             

Towards the end of the three weeks we visited Museo Nacional del Prado. We found out that it is free in between 6-8pm before the museum closes which is an added benefit! This place is colossal and the layout is beautifully designed. It was a pleasure to go in and experience the paintings for what they were. Seeing and being able to recognise paintings by Raphael, as well as visiting works by the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya!

And finally, on our last day after lots of exploring we went to the Reina Sofia, which also offers free opening times on Monday at 7-9 pm, Wednesday-Saturday at 7-9 pm, Sunday 2.30-7.00 pm. And if you’re around on the 18^th of May you can get in free all day! We got to see some of Picasso’s most famous paintings as well as works by Salvador Dali, who I love!