Page 12 - Contemporary Art and Old Masters
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The Museo del Prado
Velázquez Entrance ©Museo Nacional del Prado
ARCHITECTURE Museum, soon quickly renamed the National Museum
of Paintings and Sculptures and subsequently the
The Museo del Prado
Museo Nacional del Prado, opened to the public for
the first time in November 1819. The Museum’s first
The building that today houses the Museo Nacional catalogue, published in 1819, included 311 paintings,
del Prado was designed by architect Juan de although at that time its collection comprised just
Villanueva in 1785. It was constructed to house the over 1,510 pictures from the various Reales Sitios
Natural History Cabinet, by orders of King Charles III. (Royal Residences). The exceptionally important royal
However, the building’s final purpose - as the new collection, which represents the foundation of the
Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures - was the Museum’s collection as we know it today, started to
decision of the monarch’s grandson, King Ferdinand increase significantly in the 16th century during the
VII, encouraged by his wife Queen Maria Isabel de time of Charles V and continued to thrive under the
Braganza.The Royal Museum, soon quickly renamed succeeding Habsburg and Bourbon Monarchs. We
the National Museum of Paintings and Sculptures and owe to them the presence of some of the Museum´s
subsequently the Museo Nacional del Prado, opened greatest masterpieces, such as The Garden of Earthly
to the public for the first time in November 1819. Delights by Bosch, The Nobleman with his hand on his
It was constructed to house the Natural History Chest by El Greco, Death of the Virgin by Mantegna,
Cabinet, by orders of King Charles III. However, the The Holy Family known as The Pearl by Raphael,
building’s final purpose - as the new Royal Museum Emperor Carlos V on Horseback by Titian, The Foot
of Paintings and Sculptures - was the decision of the Washing by Tintoretto, Self-portrait by Dürer , Las
monarch’s grandson, King Ferdinand VII, encouraged Meninas by Velázquez, The Three Graces by Rubens,
by his wife Queen Maria Isabel de Braganza.The Royal and The Family of Carlos IV by Goya.
12 WORLD of ART
